Delhi’s political environment has been buzzing with activity in recent weeks. Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation as Chief Minister has set the stage for a transition within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), as Atishi Marlena steps into the limelight. The political atmosphere is heating up as preparations for next year’s Delhi Assembly elections are underway. From removing political posters to road repairs, the AAP government is making moves, but are they enough to convince the people of Delhi once again?
The End of an Era: Kejriwal Resigns, Atishi Takes Charge
The most significant recent political development in Delhi was Arvind Kejriwal’s sudden resignation as Chief Minister. His departure marks a crucial moment for the Aam Aadmi Party, which has dominated the political landscape of the capital for years. Kejriwal’s decision to step down comes as the party gears up for the upcoming Assembly elections. His resignation was followed by the swift ascension of Atishi Marlena, a prominent leader within AAP, to the Chief Minister’s post. Atishi has long been considered one of the most competent and forward-thinking members of the party.
Atishi’s rise to the top signals a potential shift in the party’s strategy. As a former education minister, she played a key role in reforming Delhi’s public schools and improving education outcomes. Now, with the reins of the capital in her hands, Atishi faces a new set of challenges, including dealing with public dissatisfaction over infrastructure issues and rising pollution levels.
Political Posters Removed: Sign of Change?
One of the first visible signs of Kejriwal’s departure was the removal of his images from Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses and depots. The DTC has directed its depot managers to remove all political posters from buses and premises, including those featuring Kejriwal. This action highlights a significant shift as the AAP seeks to promote its new leadership, especially Atishi, who has now assumed a central role.
While the removal of Kejriwal’s posters may seem like a routine bureaucratic move, it also signals a broader political strategy. In previous elections, Kejriwal’s face was synonymous with the AAP brand. With Atishi now in charge, the party appears keen to elevate her public profile ahead of the elections. However, this transition has also fueled speculation that Kejriwal’s influence remains strong behind the scenes, despite his resignation.
Election Preparations in Full Swing: Pothole Politics
As Atishi settles into her new role, the AAP government has wasted no time in getting to work—specifically on Delhi’s roads. In a bid to address one of the city’s most persistent issues, Atishi announced a campaign to make Delhi’s roads pothole-free before Diwali. This announcement came with much fanfare as Atishi, along with ministers and MLAs, took to the streets as early as 6 AM to inspect road conditions. Over 1,400 km of Public Works Department (PWD) roads were inspected, with strict instructions to repair all potholes promptly.
Atishi’s hands-on approach is a clear attempt to show her commitment to governance and problem-solving. The timing, however, raises questions about whether this is part of a broader election strategy. Critics have pointed out that the issue of potholes is not new. Roads across Delhi have suffered from poor maintenance for years, and many wonder why such efforts are only being made now, months before the elections.
Swati Maliwal’s Criticism: Public Skepticism Grows
While the AAP government pushes ahead with its road repair initiatives, the opposition has been quick to criticize these moves. Swati Maliwal, Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, took a public jab at the AAP by posting pictures of the poorly maintained roads in Kirari, a locality in Delhi. In her post, Maliwal sarcastically questioned why the AAP government had to be reminded about the dire state of the roads when Atishi had been in charge of the PWD for months. She referred to Atishi as “CM 2” and Kejriwal as “CM 1,” mocking the current power dynamics within the party.
Maliwal’s critique reflects a growing sentiment of skepticism among Delhi’s citizens. While the government promises to fix the roads, many feel it’s too little, too late. There are concerns that these repairs are simply political theatrics to win votes ahead of the elections rather than a genuine effort to improve infrastructure. The slow pace of road repair and the poor condition of public infrastructure have long been points of contention in Delhi, and critics argue that the AAP has had ample time to address these issues during its time in power.
Kejriwal’s Legacy: From Freebies to Failed Promises?
While Atishi attempts to carve out her identity as the new face of the AAP, Kejriwal’s legacy continues to loom large. Over the years, Kejriwal built his political brand on delivering free electricity, water, and education improvements, as well as a strong stand against corruption. However, critics argue that his tenure was also marked by a failure to address some of Delhi’s most pressing issues, such as pollution, waste management, and deteriorating public infrastructure.
For instance, Kejriwal once famously promised to remove the towering garbage mountains in the city within six months. It has now been two years, and those same garbage heaps still remain, symbolizing unfulfilled promises. As the AAP pushes its narrative of development and governance, the opposition has been quick to highlight these failures, questioning whether the party can deliver on its promises.
The Pollution Problem: AAP’s Achilles’ Heel
As Diwali approaches, another perennial issue for the AAP government comes into focus: pollution. Delhi consistently grapples with hazardous air quality during this time of year due to factors such as stubble burning in neighboring states and the bursting of firecrackers during the festival. Despite numerous promises by the AAP to combat pollution, Delhi’s air quality continues to worsen.
The government has taken steps such as the odd-even vehicle rule, but critics argue that these measures are insufficient and poorly enforced. Additionally, the AAP has been accused of failing to coordinate effectively with neighboring states to address the issue of stubble burning, a major contributor to Delhi’s pollution.
There are fears that this year’s Diwali may once again plunge Delhi into a “gas chamber” situation, where pollution levels skyrocket, making the air unsafe to breathe. This could become a significant talking point in the upcoming elections, with the opposition likely to use it as evidence of AAP’s inability to manage Delhi’s environmental crises.
What’s Next for AAP?
The AAP is clearly in election mode. From pothole repairs to pollution control, the party is pulling out all the stops to win back the trust of the people of Delhi. However, growing public dissatisfaction with infrastructure issues, pollution, and unfulfilled promises may make it difficult for the party to repeat its previous electoral success.
Atishi’s leadership offers the party a chance to reboot its image and focus on governance, but the road ahead is fraught with challenges. The Delhi electorate, once enamored with Kejriwal’s brand of politics, may now be looking for alternatives. Whether Atishi can successfully navigate these challenges and lead the party to another victory remains to be seen.
As Delhi prepares for elections, one thing is clear: the battle for the capital will be fierce, with AAP trying to hold on to its legacy and opposition parties eager to capitalize on the perceived shortcomings of the current administration. Whether pothole repairs and promises of cleaner air will be enough to sway voters in AAP’s favor remains an open question.