What Swept Arvind Kejriwal Out Of Delhi?

With the BJP crossing the majority mark and breaking the party’s 27-year-long jinx, former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who was once hailed as the anti-corruption crusader and the face of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), faced a major defeat in Delhi. 

The former Delhi CM and AAP national convener lost to BJP’s Parvesh Sahib Singh with 4089 votes. While Singh won the New Delhi constituency with 30088 votes, Kejriwal won only 25999.

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Despite Kejriwal’s rise as a key political figure after he founded the Aam Aadmi Party which promised to focus on the ‘Aam Aadmi’ (common man), several factors emerged after ten years that led to the erosion of his once-immaculate image and AAP's loss in the recent election. 

Perhaps the most damaging aspect was the growing perception of corruption. Whether politically motivated or not, the arrests of Kejriwal’s close aides, and the exodus of some top leaders from the party cast a shadow on AAP's image. 

The once “squeaky clean” image of Kejriwal and his party, which was built on the values of honesty, was severely tarnished, contributing to voter scepticism.

Let’s take a look at what led to Arvind Kejriwal’s setback:

Liquor scam & Sheesh Mahal – A blow to ‘Imandaar’ image

The scrapped liquor policy controversy was a significant blow to Arvind Kejriwal’s image as a leader of integrity. The BJP accused the AAP government of turning Delhi into a “city of drunkards” and alleged that the government had accepted kickbacks from liquor vendors. 

The ED probes led to the arrests of top AAP leaders, including Kejriwal and his close aides, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, tarnishing AAP’s image as a corruption-free alternative. Sisodia’s resignation as deputy CM and his arrest in early 2024 marked a critical phase of crisis management for the party, diverting attention from the promises made in 2020.

Additionally, the “Sheesh Mahal” controversy — referring to the renovation of Kejriwal’s official residence — further eroded his credibility. The reported cost escalation of the project, from Rs 7.91 crore to Rs 33.66 crore, was heavily criticised by the opposition, which painted a picture of hypocrisy. These issues collectively undermined Kejriwal’s image as a man of the people, a perception he once carefully cultivated.

Negative campaigning

AAP’s negative campaigning, including accusations against the Haryana government for polluting the Yamuna River and alleging voter fraud during elections, failed to sway voters. Kejriwal’s complaints about the Election Commission and Delhi Police, while seeking accountability for alleged irregularities, also appeared to be deflections rather than constructive solutions. These tactics may have alienated some voters who preferred a focus on governance and action rather than blame-shifting.

Indulgence in blame game

Over the years, Kejriwal has frequently blamed the central government, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for obstructing his development plans. Despite winning MCD polls in 2022, the party failed to demonstrate noticeable improvements in daily life for residents, such as better roads and efficient garbage collection. 

Similarly, Kejriwal’s attempts to blame neighbouring states like Punjab and Haryana for Delhi’s persistent air pollution fell short, as voters saw little tangible progress on these fronts.

BJP’s strategic focus on Kejriwal in campaigns

The BJP’s election strategy diverged from its usual emphasis on Hindutva and instead focused primarily on attacking Kejriwal and his government. By making corruption, governance, and the AAP’s leadership style central themes, the BJP successfully appealed to a wider voter base, including those disillusioned by AAP's internal contradictions. The BJP also highlighted everyday issues like air pollution, traffic woes, and public safety, resonating with local residents. Additionally, by promoting central government welfare schemes, they consolidated their support among specific communities, including Purvanchalis and slum dwellers.

In a digital age, the BJP effectively used AI-generated content and memes to target AAP, capitalising on Kejriwal’s controversies to build a case for change.

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Rahul Gandhi’s attack – a payback for Haryana

In an unexpected move, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a series of attacks on Kejriwal during the Delhi polls, potentially as a response to recent tensions in Haryana. Gandhi accused Kejriwal of false promises, including unfulfilled commitments like cleaning the Yamuna River. 

He also challenged Kejriwal to drink the tap water in Delhi, highlighting its continued pollution despite his assurances. The Congress leader’s barbs resonated with voters and further tarnished Kejriwal’s reputation.

Exodus of AAP leaders ahead of polls

The steady departure of key AAP leaders, including Prashant Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav, and Kumar Vishwas, contributed to the weakening of the party’s unity. Accusations of an “autocratic” leadership style under Kejriwal only deepened internal divisions. Kailash Gahlot’s resignation, citing the party’s focus on political power over fulfilling promises, also signalled dissatisfaction within AAP’s ranks. The exits weakened the party’s structure and credibility, providing further ammunition for the opposition.