Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on Thursday night after the Enforcement Directorate came knocking on his doors for questioning in the Excise policy-linked money laundering case.
Delhi Cabinet minister Atishi said Kejriwal will continue as the chief minister and run the city government from prison if needed.
The timing of the Delhi CM’s arrest is expected to deal a blow to the AAP, which is already struggling with the absence of its key leadership.
With ambitions to expand its presence nationwide, the party had aligned with the Congress to contest the Lok Sabha elections against the BJP in Delhi, Haryana, and Gujarat.
Kejriwal is central to the party’s Lok Sabha campaign and serves as its primary campaigner. The absence of senior leaders like Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, and Sanjay Singh has already been felt by the party.
Now, Kejriwal’s arrest has further plunged the ruling party of Delhi into uncertainty.
In the past, the party had taken a firm stance, asserting its determination to fight through challenges. However, it’s undeniable that the AAP’s strategists will face difficulty navigating this latest setback.
The party’s campaigns in Delhi and Gujarat heavily rely on Kejriwal’s presence. In Delhi, the campaign slogan is ‘Sansad Mein Bhi Kejriwal, Toh Dilli Hogi Aur Khush Haal’ (With Kejriwal in Parliament, Delhi will prosper), while in Gujarat, it’s ‘Gujarat Mein Bhi Kejriwal’ (Kejriwal in Gujarat).
Although the campaign in Punjab revolves around state Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Kejriwal’s frequent visits to the state indicate his significance to the party’s overall strategy.
Delhi Cabinet minister Saurabh Bharadwaj recently alleged a conspiracy behind Kejriwal’s arrest, citing discomfort caused to the BJP by his probing questions.
The looming question now is, how will the party proceed with its Lok Sabha campaign in Kejriwal’s absence?
Bharadwaj previously emphasized Kejriwal’s centrality to the campaign, indicating that he would remain the face of the party.
The party had hoped that Kejriwal’s popularity would shield him from arrest, considering his massive appeal among Delhi’s populace.
The fear within the BJP of a potential backlash from Kejriwal’s arrest reflects the political stakes involved.
Beyond the immediate impact on the Lok Sabha campaign, Kejriwal’s arrest could have lasting implications on governance in Delhi and influence the upcoming Assembly polls.
Despite maintaining a defiant stance, declaring ‘Ladenge, Jeetenge’ (We will fight and win), the road ahead for the 12-year-old party appears fraught with challenges.
(With PTI inputs)
