The highly anticipated election results from the capital city/state of Delhi are in, and the BJP has made a remarkable comeback, reclaiming power after 27 years. It was a striking irony that despite securing victories in some of the toughest elections across the country, the Bharatiya Janata Party had been unable to wrest Delhi from its newest political rival for three consecutive terms. The Aam Aadmi Party consistently posed a formidable challenge to the Modi government, employing every possible strategy—including some controversial and unfair tactics to maintain its grip on power. In previous elections, Narendra Modi had refrained from using similar methods, refusing to engage in what he saw as unfair practices, such as offering freebies to voters. However, possibly under pressure from within his own party, Modi eventually adopted the approach used by his opponents—and the results were nothing short of extraordinary.
The impact of Aam Aadmi Party’s defeat will be remembered for a long time in India’s political history. The Indian government believes that Arvind Kejriwal was a deep-state asset, strategically placed during the anti-corruption movement against the Congress party. In the end, Kejriwal lived up to the doubts surrounding him—his sudden rise to power was as dramatic as his abrupt downfall. He set several new records in Indian politics, but not for the right reasons.
His tenure saw the normalization of distrust, deceit, fraud, and misinformation in political discourse. For the common man, it was both painful and embarrassing to witness these events unfold repeatedly. Kejriwal mastered the art of spinning false narratives, shifting blame, and making grand promises that he never fulfilled. Despite leading Delhi for 12 long years, he failed to deliver any of his commitments yet continued to seek re-election with the same unfulfilled promises. Even after repeatedly letting down his voters, people continued to believe in him and voted for him again. His legacy, however, will be remembered as one that eroded trust in politics and governance.
Arvind Kejriwal’s ouster from power must come as a huge relief for the Modi government. During his tenure, Delhi became a hub for anti-India elements and leaders, all happening right under the central government’s watch. Many times, the Modi administration found itself helpless, unable to push key policies through because of Kejriwal’s constant defiance. He stubbornly refused to cooperate with the Centre, seemingly following instructions from his backers in the deep state. The fake Farmers Agitation, riots and CAA protests in Delhi, conspiring to assassinate the Indian Prime Minister by blocking his carcade in Punjab were all creation of one man and one party on behest of his masters in the deep state.
Instead of working for Delhi’s progress, his government consistently blocked central initiatives aimed at improving the city. For nearly a decade, Delhi held the unfortunate title of the world’s most polluted city. Even basic necessities like clean drinking water remained a distant dream, as the Yamuna River became increasingly toxic. Yet, Kejriwal was only focused on doing corruption, self-promotion, pouring billions into misleading advertisements rather than actual governance. Had he delivered even a fraction of what he promised or falsely marketed, Delhi would be in a much better state today. Ironically, if his work had spoken for itself, voters wouldn’t have needed to remove him—his performance alone would have done that. The most unfortunate aspect was that most of his close associates were just like him, and those who refused to follow his lead were systematically cast aside by him.
Hopefully, with Arvind Kejriwal’s departure, Delhi can begin to restore its lost glory, allowing its people to breathe clean air and have access to safe drinking water once again. Unfortunately, the city has paid a steep price for the temptation of freebies like free bus rides and electricity. The culture of handouts may seem appealing in the short term, but it ultimately harms the nation and destroys its economy for ever. If we truly want to build India a great country, responsible citizens must resist the lure of such short-sighted benefits.
– Yugal Parashar