Delhi debacle tells a tale of Kejriwal's fall

The wide chasm between the AAP leader's promises and his record in government cost the party the elections

- Shashi Shekhar

This incident dates back to 2013, when Arvind Kejriwal came to the Dainik Hindustan office and told a senior colleague that the newspaper's coverage of the Lokpal Movement, which was of "critical importance", was lukewarm.

He expressed a desire to interact with our editorial staff and hold elaborate consultations on Lokpal, corruption, and the right to information. I liked the idea. He was with us and our colleagues at the Hindustan Times Building a few days later.

Those were the days in Kejriwal's public journey when he wasn't a political leader but an activist. Since then, he has come a long way. In his close to 12-year-long rule, his old colleagues have either left him or have been sidelined.

Those who addressed him by his first name, Arvind, during his struggle, are now referring to him as Sir or Sir ji.

Despite this transformation, his party won the Delhi assembly elections thrice and was successful in securing political victory in Punjab and forming the government.

During the last assembly elections in Gujarat, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was able to win just five seats. But the newly formed party secured the tag of a national party by winning close to 13% of votes.

This is why the defeat in Delhi gives rise to a plethora of interpretations. His volte-face and shifting statements became ugly stains on his original image.

He promised he wouldn't encumber himself by accepting mandatory security cover or live in a mansion, or succumb to other VIP trappings. However, his supporters were stunned to see the exact opposite in practice.

He would also accuse anyone of corruption and ask for that person's resignation.

When it was his turn to resign after being arrested and jailed in the excise case, he flatly refused to relinquish his post.