Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Sunday that he will resign from his post within two days. Addressing party workers at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) office, Kejriwal said that the allegations of corruption against him will now be decided in the court of public opinion. He stated that a new Chief Minister would be chosen by the party’s MLAs in a meeting to be held within the next two to three days.
Kejriwal also mentioned that Manish Sisodia, his deputy, will step down from his position as well, and both will only take office again if re-elected. He emphasized that the charges against Sisodia were the same as those against him, and the public’s verdict would decide their future roles. Kejriwal expressed that BJP had falsely accused him of dishonesty and corruption, and now it was up to the people to decide his integrity.
During the address, Kejriwal held up a copy of Bhagat Singh’s “Jail Diary,” making a symbolic reference to the martyr’s legacy, likening his situation to an “agni pariksha” (trial by fire). He claimed that like Bhagat Singh, who faced trials during British rule, he was also facing an unjust ordeal. He added that he would not hold office until his name is cleared and a fair election is conducted.
What happens after Kejriwal’s resignation?
- New Chief Minister: AAP will elect a new Chief Minister within the next few days. Several names are being speculated as potential successors, including Atishi, Kailash Gahlot, Gopal Rai, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Sunita Kejriwal.
- Kejriwal’s Next Steps: Post resignation, Kejriwal is likely to focus on Haryana Assembly elections where AAP is contesting all 90 seats. The party is also contesting in the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly elections. His role will pivot more towards national-level campaigning.
- Liquor Policy Case: Kejriwal has been released on bail after 177 days in jail in the Delhi liquor policy case. The Supreme Court imposed restrictions that he cannot hold office or sign any official documents until the case is resolved. His power as Chief Minister has thus been significantly curtailed, making his resignation less impactful in terms of governance.
Kejriwal’s Speech and Key Messages:
- Bhagat Singh’s Legacy: Kejriwal appeared with Bhagat Singh’s “Jail Diary” and compared his situation to that of the freedom fighter, stating that he, too, is a revolutionary being wrongfully targeted.
- Agni Pariksha (Trial by Fire): He compared his situation to that of Sita in the Ramayana, where she had to undergo a trial by fire to prove her purity. He stated that his honesty and commitment to the people would be tested, and he would emerge victorious.
- Non-BJP Chief Ministers Should Not Resign: He urged all non-BJP Chief Ministers to stand their ground and not resign even if they are jailed or targeted by the ruling party. He called for unity among opposition leaders against BJP’s tactics.
- Call for Early Elections: Kejriwal demanded that Delhi elections, currently scheduled for February 2025, should be brought forward to November 2024. He wants the elections to be held alongside the Maharashtra Assembly polls to give voters a chance to decide sooner.
Implications of Kejriwal’s Resignation:
- CM Without Power: Due to the Supreme Court’s restrictions, even though Kejriwal was released on bail, he was prohibited from returning to office or signing any official files. Effectively, he was Chief Minister without any real power.
- Five-Month Window Before Elections: The Delhi Assembly term ends in February 2025, meaning only five months remain before the elections. Kejriwal might be aiming to garner public sympathy and capitalize on it by pushing for early elections, thus avoiding a long wait where the momentum might wane.
- Answering BJP’s Calls for Resignation: By resigning, Kejriwal is likely to address BJP’s constant demand for his stepping down, which has been ongoing since the liquor policy case broke out. This move positions him to turn the narrative, stating that he stepped down willingly and let the people decide his fate.
Reactions from Political Parties:
- BJP: Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said that the public had already given its verdict on Kejriwal in the MCD polls where AAP won no seats. He claimed the resignation was futile, as the people had already rejected him.
- Congress: Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit dismissed Kejriwal’s resignation as theatrics, stating that he should have resigned much earlier and that there was no moral high ground in his decision.
- AAP: AAP’s Raghav Chadha defended Kejriwal, stating that his resignation was a sign of moral strength and confidence in the public. He reiterated that Kejriwal had always asked people to vote for him based on his work and honesty.
The Liquor Policy Case and Kejriwal’s Arrest:
Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21, 2024, in connection with the Delhi Liquor Policy scam. After 177 days in jail, the Supreme Court granted him conditional bail. The case, revolving around alleged corruption in the Delhi government’s liquor licensing process, remains ongoing, and the court has barred Kejriwal from functioning as CM until the case concludes.
AAP’s Tenure in Delhi:
- 2013: AAP first came to power with 28 seats and formed a government with Congress’s support.
- 2015: In a landslide victory, AAP won 67 of 70 seats.
- 2020: AAP won 62 seats in the Delhi Assembly, with BJP securing the remaining 8 seats.
Kejriwal’s resignation, just months before the 2025 Assembly elections, will likely set the stage for a high-stakes political battle in Delhi.
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