In a major political setback, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was defeated in the Delhi Assembly elections, with its leader and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal failing to retain his seat. This marks a significant shift in Delhi’s political landscape, as Kejriwal, who had been in power for several years, faced his most substantial electoral defeat.
Arvind Kejriwal’s career has been marked by frequent transitions.
His early life and political career reflect a pattern of entering and leaving institutions and roles. Kejriwal, an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur, initially worked at Tata Steel but left the job after three years to prepare for the civil services. After securing a position in the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), he once again exited, citing dissatisfaction with the system.
Kejriwal later became involved in activism, joining movements like Parivartan, India Against Corruption, and Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption campaign.
This eventually led to the formation of the Aam Aadmi Party in 2012.
He became Delhi’s Chief Minister in 2013 but resigned after just 49 days, a move that raised questions about his leadership style. More recently, he stepped down again, making Atishi the Chief Minister of Delhi.
Kejriwal’s journey began at IIT Kharagpur, where he studied electrical engineering. Even during his college days, he exhibited leadership qualities, winning the hostel mess secretary election without campaigning. His rise in politics followed a similar trajectory when he defeated Sheila Dikshit, the three-term Delhi Chief Minister, in the 2013 Assembly elections.
Despite several political successes, Kejriwal faced a significant defeat in the latest polls, losing his own constituency. This loss marks a rare setback in his otherwise successful career.
Born in 1968 in Hisar, Haryana, Kejriwal came from a middle-class background. His father, Govind Ram Kejriwal, was an electrical engineer. After completing his studies at a missionary school in Sonipat, he pursued engineering before moving into public service.
His career in the IRS saw him grow disillusioned with corruption. He founded the NGO Parivartan in 2000 to fight bribery and corruption in government offices. His activism laid the foundation for his political career, culminating in the formation of AAP.
Kejriwal’s tenure as Delhi’s Chief Minister has been both praised and criticized. His government focused on providing free electricity, water, and better education, earning the support of many citizens. However, his administration was also marred by allegations of corruption.
In March last year, Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with alleged irregularities in Delhi’s excise policy, spending five months in jail before being granted bail by the Supreme Court.
Despite this, no charges have been proven against him so far. His defeat in these elections, however, raises questions about his party’s standing and his political future.
The Aam Aadmi Party initially found remarkable success. It followed the path of regional parties like NT Rama Rao’s Telugu Desam Party and Prafulla Kumar Mahanta’s Asom Gana Parishad, securing power in Delhi within a year of its formation. Unlike these parties, however, AAP also expanded into other states, winning the Punjab Assembly elections in 2022 and securing recognition as a national party in 2023 based on its vote share in Delhi, Punjab, Goa, and Gujarat.
Despite these achievements, AAP’s latest loss in Delhi signals a decline in its influence. Experts suggest that the party’s expansion beyond Delhi may have contributed to its weakened position in its home state.
AAP first came to power in 2013, securing 28 seats while the BJP won 31 and Congress eight. Kejriwal became Chief Minister with Congress’s support, despite previously vowing not to ally with either major party. His short-lived tenure was marked by an FIR against Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani and then-Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily, accusing them of inflating natural gas prices. He resigned in 2014, citing obstacles in tackling corruption.
One factor in Kejriwal’s past electoral success has been his support among Delhi’s Muslim voters. Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit has acknowledged that Congress’s decision to support AAP in 2013 strengthened Kejriwal’s image. However, he also noted that AAP has now become a bigger threat to Congress than the BJP.
AAP’s formation 12 years ago was rooted in the anti-corruption movement, which also benefited the BJP. The party’s ideological stance remains debated, with critics questioning whether it aligns with left, right, or center-right politics. AAP has taken varied positions, such as supporting the revocation of Article 370 in 2019 while later opposing the Delhi Services Bill.
Political analysts argue that while Kejriwal’s government prioritized basic necessities like water, electricity, and education, his governance style and expansion efforts have created challenges. AAP’s attempt to establish itself in other states has led to increased criticism and internal conflicts.
With this latest defeat, Kejriwal faces a crucial moment in his career. He must now evaluate why AAP lost ground in Delhi and why he himself failed to retain his seat.
The coming months will determine whether he can rebuild his party’s influence or if this marks the beginning of AAP’s decline in the national political landscape.
( This story is published from a syndicated feed.)