In 2011, Delhi experienced a pivotal moment when the famous social activist Anna Hazare launched a nationwide campaign for the Jan Lok Pal Bill in Parliament to eradicate the pervasive corruption that afflicted various institutions across the political spectrum. Among the crowd was a young man, Arvind Kejriwal, dressed in a muffler and slippers, symbolizing the attire of the Indian middle class. He stood alongside Hazare, rallying a vast audience to demand the government’s formulation of an anti-corruption bill, signaling the commencement of a war against corruption.

Kejriwal faced criticism for abandoning the Jan Lok Pal Bill, adopting authoritarian leadership, and getting embroiled in corruption scandals, weakening his credibility.

This marked Kejriwal’s debut in the political arena, and he quickly became a significant figure in the Indian political landscape. However, his relationship with Hazare deteriorated amid accusations of leveraging the campaign to launch his political career.

Kejriwal was often compared to Pakistan’s Imran Khan, who was already battling the country’s mafia politics, which had earned Pakistan a notorious reputation for corruption.

The entire Subcontinent was hopeful, believing two Messiahs had emerged to rescue them from the scourge of kickback deals. Yet, as this article is being written, one is hiding at home while the other languishes in jail.

Kejriwal’s entry into politics was timely, as the public was fatigued by corruption, inadequate essential services, and disillusioned with traditional politics. His emergence represented a new hope for the working-class population. The inclusion of notable figures such as lawyer Prashant Bhushan, the first female IPS officer Kiran Bedi, social activist and psephologist Yogendra Yadav, and journalist Ashutosh in Kejriwal’s party indicated a shift towards politics led by ordinary, honest individuals, most of whom had a clean and promising background, dedicated to fostering a just and open society.

On the one hand, the populace sought to rid themselves of the Congress dynasty, which was mired in scandals. At the same time, on the other, the rise of the Hindu fundamentalist party, BJP, posed a challenge to the nation’s secular fabric. Instead of addressing the issues faced by the ordinary person, religious awakening took center stage in political discourse, threatening the foundational principles of the Indian constitution. The fears of minorities were dismissed by the secular Congress party, creating a demand for a new alternative to balance the power dynamics.

Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan are key energy suppliers to the EU, despite their authoritarian governance and poor human rights records.

Kejriwal’s party, AAP, achieved its first breakthrough in 2015, winning an impressive 67 out of 70 seats in the Delhi assembly elections, a feat repeated in 2020. This momentum extended beyond Delhi, impacting Punjab, where Congress and BJP suffered significant losses. AAP also made inroads in Gujarat and Goa, garnering a vote share that led to its recognition as a national party. Encouraged by these results, AAP expanded its influence across India, reaching remote eastern regions.

As AAP grew, regional political parties recognized the potential threat to their existence. However, they soon united to maintain camaraderie and avoid encroaching on each other’s territories. The challenger was poised to disrupt the dominance of the two major political parties in the Capital.

Political analysts speculated that AAP was not only replacing Congress but also had the potential to challenge Prime Minister Modi’s governance and diminish his party’s influence. This raised genuine concern within BJP circles, prompting them to strategize counterattacks.

Kejriwal’s anti-corruption campaign resonated with the electorate, particularly as Congress faced severe backlash over corruption scandals. As AAP gained a substantial majority in Delhi and Punjab—key states in northern India—Kejriwal’s political star appeared to rise, making AAP seem unstoppable.

However, once in power, Kejriwal seemingly abandoned the Jan Lok Pal Bill. This issue had propelled him into politics, leaving voters and co-workers surprised by the lack of mention. His initial allies began to depart, and some party members accused him of adopting a feudal leadership style. Promises were overlooked, transparency diminished, and Kejriwal became embroiled in a liquor scandal, shocking the middle class in Delhi.

Emerging from the 2011 anti-corruption movement, Arvind Kejriwal became a political force, initially challenging corruption but later facing accusations of abandoning his core ideals.

The situation further deteriorated with the outbreak of riots in Delhi, which shattered the secular fabric of the metropolitan Capital. Kejriwal’s silence during the violence and his failure to address the atrocities against Muslims were alarming. Instead, he visited temples and recited bhajans, seemingly attempting to outdo the BJP in appealing to Hindu voters. This shift raised questions about his commitment to secularism as he became entangled in religious politics, a realm he had once challenged.

Rajendra Sethi, a social activist and former supporter of Kejriwal, remarked that “Kejriwal, once seen as a secularist, began competing with Hindutva to attract Hindu voters at the expense of minorities, alienating those who preferred the BJP’s straightforwardness.” He emphasized the need for politicians to be honest with the electorate, stating that dual policies would no longer work with the public.

Despite shifting stances on corruption, religion, and controversies, Kejriwal implemented significant public health, education, and transportation reforms in Delhi, earning international acclaim. However, his new official residence, dubbed ‘Sheesh Mahal’ by PM Modi, contradicted the party’s initial stance on simplicity, leading to severe criticism. The BJP capitalized on this during the election campaign, focusing on issues like garbage management and air quality, which contributed to Kejriwal’s defeat. He lost his seat in New Delhi and several close associates amid ongoing investigations into the liquor scam. At the same time, media coverage of Delhi’s poor quality of life helped the BJP regain its footing after twenty-seven years of exile in the city.

The election’s aftermath left Kejriwal and AAP reeling from an unexpected defeat, debunking analysts’ predictions of a sweeping victory.

Following the BJP’s triumph in Delhi, the party’s influence in North India solidified, while AAP now faces serious challenges in Punjab, where Congress maintained a strong grassroots presence.

The BJP has mobilized its network to undermine AAP in Punjab, with rumors of a soft coup, potential splits within the party, or poaching legislators to weaken their majority in the assembly. Punjab is not the final battleground for the BJP; it restructured its ground forces to undermine regional parties, particularly in the South.

Internal strife within the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and other regional parties in South India intensified after the Delhi elections, prompting discussions on strategies to counter Hindutva’s influence. The future of the opposition alliance also came into question as tensions between Congress and AAP escalated following the election results. Some observers suggested that the rivalry between these parties ultimately facilitated the BJP’s victory. Moreover, the Congress leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi’s performance, appeared unacceptable to some allied partners, including Trinamool’s chief Mamta Banerjee. The alliance’s survival in the context of the BJP’s re-emergence in the states remains uncertain.

With BJP consolidating power in Delhi and Punjab, AAP faces internal challenges and potential political isolation, raising doubts about Kejriwal’s comeback.

Despite the challenges, AAP received a commendable vote share in the elections, offering hope for the party’s resurgence. However, whether Kejriwal can return with a new image and agenda and whether the public will accept him again remains doubtful. Yet, politics is an art of possibility.

He may face imprisonment like Imran Khan of Pakistan, as the BJP government is unlikely to let him escape the repercussions of the liquor scam, a significant weapon in their arsenal.

Analysts suggest that the voting day altered Kejriwal’s fate, with Modi’s strategy resonating well with Delhi voters at the last moment.

Modi’s symbolic gesture of taking a holy dip in Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj on election day bolstered the BJP’s remarkable victory. The Delhi election results highlighted a swift shift in the mindset of Hindu voters, indicating a growing acceptance of Hindutva ideologies.

The political landscape has transformed in Delhi and nearly all states, with religion now taking precedence over critical issues like education, health, and infrastructure. This shift is attributed to Modi’s vision of establishing India as a Hindu Rashtra, where another holy dip could suffice to fulfill his agenda.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.