In a recent development, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been granted interim bail by the Supreme Court. This comes after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on 21st March. Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, was arrested by the ED on allegations of taking a kickback of Rs 100 crore. However, he had not resigned from his position as Chief Minister. After several hearings in the Supreme Court, Kejriwal was granted interim bail on Friday which is valid till June 1st 2024. We will analyze his actions and speeches following his release and examine the impact it may have on the upcoming elections.
Arvind Kejriwal’s Release and Activities:
After spending nearly 50 days in jail, Arvind Kejriwal has been released and is now actively participating in political activities. He started his day by visiting the Hanuman temple in Delhi to offer prayers. Later, he addressed his party workers at the AAP office and conducted a road show in Delhi’s Mehroli Road. Kejriwal’s energetic demeanor raises questions about his previous claims of being ill and in need of insulin. Critics argue that his illness was merely a ploy for sympathy and attention.
Kejriwal’s Controversial Statements:
Kejriwal has made statements that have sparked a heated debate in Indian politics. He made derogatory remarks about the Prime Minister and his party, calling them the ‘biggest destroyer of values’ and accusing them of making a mockery of the Supreme Court. Kejriwal also questioned the Prime Minister’s succession plan and made comments about dictatorship, which were seen as disrespectful and offensive. Critics argue that one who has no succession plan in his own party reserves no right to question the succession plan of other parties. Furthermore, Kejriwal’s own actions and statements have raised concerns about his leadership. He has been accused of working like a dictator within his own party, expelling members who disagreed with him. Despite claiming to be a champion of democracy, his actions suggest otherwise
Did Kejriwal break the bail norms imposed by the Supreme Court?
Supreme Court imposed certain conditions. These conditions included not discussing the case and not behaving as the CM. However, Kejriwal violated these conditions by holding a press conference and making statements about the case.
Impact on Elections:
Despite Kejriwal’s attempts to regain popularity through his election campaign by attacking the Prime Minister of India, it is unlikely to make a significant difference. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has a strong presence in Delhi, while the AAP has lost support over the years. The alliance between the AAP and Congress is merely superficial, as both parties have different agendas and their workers are unlikely to campaign for each other. Kejriwal’s release from jail may have garnered some sympathy votes while he was inside, but now that he is out, his influence is expected to diminish further. Analysts suggest that the AAP won’t be able to win a single seat in the upcoming election in New Delhi.
Kejriwal’s Refusal to Resign:
Kejriwal’s refusal to resign despite being accused of corruption raises questions about his integrity and commitment to fighting against corruption. By clinging to power and making excuses, he is setting a dangerous precedent for shameless politics. His claims of fighting against dictatorship are baseless, as no opposition leader in history has been jailed under a dictatorship. Moreover, his argument that he will not resign because of theft is illogical and undermines the principles of accountability and transparency.
Arvind Kejriwal’s release from jail and subsequent political activities have sparked controversy and raised questions about his credibility, and the impact of Kejriwal’s election campaign is expected to be minimal. His refusal to resign and allegations of dictatorship against Prime Minister Modi further highlight his questionable ethics and political tactics. As the elections approach, it remains to be seen how long Kejriwal’s drama and gimmicks will continue and how the media will respond.