Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s surprise resignation has sparked widespread debate about its implications. His decision raises questions about the political future of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and whether early elections will be held in the capital. Both political observers and rival parties are closely watching the next steps, which could significantly shift Delhi’s political dynamics. Early elections may be on the horizon, depending on how the situation unfolds.
New Delhi: Two days after being granted bail and released from jail after six months, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made a surprising announcement of his resignation at a party meeting.
Kejriwal stated,
“In two days, I will resign as Chief Minister. I will not sit on that chair until the people deliver their verdict. Elections in Delhi are a few months away. I received justice from the legal court, now I will seek justice from the people’s court. I will sit in the Chief Minister’s chair only with the people’s mandate,”
Addressing the people of Delhi, he asked,
“Is Kejriwal innocent or guilty? If I have worked for you, vote for me.”
He further added,
“A meeting of AAP MLAs would take place within two days to elect the next Chief Minister for Delhi.”
Kejriwal confirmed that a member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will be named as his successor.
He also expressed his intention to personally seek the people’s support and urged that the Delhi elections, scheduled for February, be advanced to November to coincide with Maharashtra’s polls.
In his speech to AAP supporters, Kejriwal launched a strong criticism against the Narendra Modi government, comparing it to a dictatorship worse than British rule.
Kejriwal recently positioned his decision as a moral stance, declaring that he won’t return to the Chief Minister’s office unless he receives a “certificate of honesty” from the public. According to election analysts, this move is likely aimed at addressing increasing concerns surrounding corruption and governance under Kejriwal’s administration. Additionally, it appears to be an effort to unite the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its supporters around a message of integrity and transparency.
AAP Goa leader Amit Palekar shared a post on X, praising Arvind Kejriwal’s decision to step down as Chief Minister.
He wrote,
“Hats off, sir @ArvindKejriwal, for placing your political future in the hands of the public. This is a powerful demonstration of your commitment to honest politics. Your call for the people of Delhi to decide your fate through their votes, rather than holding on to power, highlights your integrity and transparency.”
However, Kejriwal’s resignation means the party will need to appoint a temporary Chief Minister and possibly a deputy until elections are held. This process has sometimes led to power struggles and significant exits, as seen recently in Jharkhand between JMM’s Hemant Soren and Champai Soren, and in Bihar in 2014, when Nitish Kumar reclaimed the top position from Jitan Ram Manjhi.
The current term of the Delhi Legislative Assembly scheduled to end in February 2025.
However, the Election Commission (EC) holds the power to call for early elections if extraordinary circumstances arise. Kejriwal’s suggestion for elections in November 2024 aligns with the electoral calendar of states like Maharashtra and Jharkhand, which could give AAP a strategic edge if they can tap into a broader anti-establishment sentiment. Historically, though, the EC tends to follow the regular election schedule unless there is a compelling reason to deviate, usually considering the stability of the government. AAP currently holds a strong majority in the assembly, with 62 out of 70 seats.
Although Kejriwal’s resignation might lead to a political vacuum, it does not necessarily result in immediate or early elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been vocal in criticizing Kejriwal’s move, dismissing it as a “PR stunt” designed to repair his image amid corruption allegations, while also questioning the timing of the resignation. With a well-established political base in Delhi, the BJP could stand to gain if elections are held, especially if internal tensions within AAP lead to a weakened campaign and a divided electorate.
BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi, during a press conference, questioned the 48-hour delay in Kejriwal’s resignation, stating,
“This 48-hour time which he (Arvind Kejriwal) has sought is enshrined in mystery… Why are you talking about resigning after coming out, and what happens after 48 hours? The people of Delhi and the country want to know what is to be settled in this time.”
He further criticized Kejriwal, calling it “ridiculous” for a Chief Minister with a majority in the Assembly to delay his resignation, adding,
“If he has any truth in his intentions, he should call a Cabinet meeting, resign, and recommend dissolving the Assembly.”
In response to the BJP’s remarks, AAP leader Atishi clarified the 48-hour timeframe, explaining,
“Today is Sunday, and tomorrow is Eid, so the next working day will be Tuesday.”
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari accused Arvind Kejriwal of attempting to replicate the “Sonia Gandhi model,” where she “made Manmohan Singh a dummy Prime Minister and controlled the government from behind the scenes.”
Bhandari claimed,
“This is a PR stunt by Kejriwal. He knows his image in Delhi is not that of an honest leader but a corrupt one, and the Aam Aadmi Party is now seen as corrupt nationwide. He wants to restore his image… It’s clear he aims to apply the Sonia Gandhi model.”
He added that Kejriwal’s strategy is designed to shield himself as AAP faces a potential loss in the Delhi elections.
BJP leader Harish Khurana questioned why Kejriwal didn’t resign during his six months in jail.
Khurana said, pointing out that Kejriwal is “a CM on bail” and “on trial,” yet didn’t step down when “all work in Delhi stopped.”
“If he wants to resign, why not today? This is a drama,”
BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa echoed these sentiments, alleging Kejriwal is resigning not by choice but due to a Supreme Court order.
Sirsa claimed,
“He is forced to resign because of the SC order… He cannot go near the CM’s chair or sign any files.”
Sirsa also suggested Kejriwal was using the two-day delay to convince MLAs to support making his wife the new Chief Minister.
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit labeled Kejriwal’s resignation a “gimmick,” noting, “This is the first time an elected leader out on bail has been instructed by the SC not to enter the CMO or sign papers. The SC is treating him like a criminal.”
Dikshit emphasized that there’s “no correlation between morality and Arvind Kejriwal.”