Kejriwal Faces Tough Battle as His Political Future Is at Stake

Photo : AFP

February 5, 2025 is when Delhi votes for a much-critical assembly election in a bid that would decide whether or not it shapes the fortunes of Aam Aadmi Party's AAP chief, Arvind Kejriwal. While it marks the future and an important win for the party, this victory for Kejriwal goes to a much more personal level because three victories in succession over BJP could really make this achievement. None of the opposition leaders has won over the BJP three times consecutively since its emergence in 2014.

In Punjab, AAP is giving a strong imprint by filling up the space left by Akali Dal with regional politics on its side. But in Delhi, AAP and Kejriwal are so interlinked that this election would be a watershed moment for him. If AAP fails in this election, then it would seriously impact Kejriwal's future in Delhi and nationally too.

A Fight for Survival
For Kejriwal, it is more of a matter of survival in politics than of winning. AAP, which started off as a party based on the anti-corruption movement, faces serious charges of corruption today. The case involving the liquor policy and the latest row over expensive renovation of Kejriwal's government residence has severely dented the party's clean image. Kejriwal himself called this election his "Agnipariksha," or trial by fire, after stepping down as Chief Minister when he was granted bail in the liquor case.

An even poor performance can be detrimental for Kejriwal at both Delhi and the national levels. The elections in Punjab, scheduled for 2027, will also see an impact because of this poll. A Delhi defeat will knock out Kejriwal from his leadership throne and might prevent AAP from entering the national map as a contender to the BJ.
This election is not just about winning or losing; it is a test of Kejriwal’s legacy. He built his career on promises of honest politics and rejecting government luxuries. But recent controversies, especially over the renovation of his official residence—dubbed the "Sheesh Mahal"—have raised questions about his commitment to these ideals. The renovation, which cost ₹33 crore, far exceeded the estimated budget and included luxury items. This has resulted in charges of hypocrisy that have tainted the "Aam Aadmi" (common man) image Kejriwal spent years building.
It remains to be seen whether voters believe Kejriwal's version or whether they take renovation as a sign of dishonesty. If AAP loses the election, it would damage Kejriwal's image besides showing that the citizens of Delhi have lost faith in Kejriwal's promises.

A Historic Victory Chances
If AAP defeats the BJP for the third consecutive time, Kejriwal will become the first opposition leader to defeat BJP three times in a row. This will fortify his stance in the opposition alliance of India and he would be one of the prominent voices in the nation's politics. A third successive win for Kejriwal might also prove troublesome for Congress, which has already suffered a defeat in Maharashtra and Haryana. The negative campaign mounted by Congress against Kejriwal may end up becoming counterproductive, with the opposition parties possibly asking for sidestepping or even exclusion of Congress from the INDIA alliance.

This scenario can change the course of Indian politics with regional leaders like Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee taking a more central stage. If Kejriwal wins in Delhi, he can be a very good contender against the BJP in the 2024 national elections.

Testing Kejriwal's 'Soft Hindutva' Approach
The 2025 Delhi election will also test Kejriwal's political stance on matters like 'soft Hindutva.' Kejriwal had remained tight-lipped over all issues that could be linked with the Muslim community, and the party was charged with calling several Muslims as Bangladeshis and an illegal immigrant. If Muslim voters continue to be Kejriwal's backbone despite all this, then the softer Hindutva seems to be working in his favour. This would be a significant moment in Indian politics because it would make the concept of 'soft Hindutva' a mainstream political approach.

But most importantly, the 2025 Delhi election is much more than a competition between two political parties. It is a battle for survival for Kejriwal's political life and a test of his leadership, as well as an opportunity for him to define his legacy for Indian politics.

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