Amid 'free' for all, AAP knocked off pedestal

NEW DELHI: It was an election fought under the shadow of the alleged excise policy scam and the 'Sheesh Mahal' controversy. But the rejection of brand Arvind Kejriwal is a coming together of many factors ranging from the erosion of the halo of an aam aadmi changemaker to the failure to deliver on the promise of development and corruption-free governance.

The angst of a voter whose patience had worn out not only spelt defeat for AAP and brought it down to 22 seats in the assembly but also cropped its vote-share from 53.6% in 2020 to 43.6% this year - easing the way for BJP to assume office in the capital after 27 years.

AAP trusted excessively, a misplaced reliance as it turns out, on subsidies like free electricity, water, bus rides for women and a Rs 2,100 monthly honorarium to women in poor households, promises to expand social infrastructure like mohalla clinics and to provide quality education in schools. While these helped the party preserve a significant section of its dedicated voters in slums and low-income settlements, it clearly did not prove a game changer for the party that was fighting anti-incumbency after two full terms and a 49-day stint at the helm since 2013.

Kejriwal also failed to balance the aspirations of a city that was getting impatient with government's lack of focus on civic infrastructure, like roads and sanitation, and efficient municipal governance, despite his party winning the 2022 civic polls. The flooding in the monsoons and a city choking every winter on killer air too added to the disenchantment of urban voters.

As in previous stints in power, ever since the previous assembly polls in 2020, the AAP government and the lieutenant governor were forever wrangling about files, rules and devolution of powers. AAP, playing the victim card, blamed the bureaucracy and LG for delaying, preventing and stalling development work. The equations further worsened after the BJP-led Centre enacted a law to create the National Capital Civil Service Authority, giving the Union government more power to take decisions regarding tenure, posting, salaries, powers and duties of administrative officers. AAP accused the Centre of paralysing its government's work.

The party's troubles escalated rapidly when the alleged liquor scam hit the fan. Former deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh and Kejriwal himself were sent to jail. Former minister Satyendar Jain's arrest in another corruption case added to the damage. Out on bail, they accused the Centre of unleashing probe agencies on opposition leaders and trapping them in "fake" cases. The extravagant spending on the CM's residence became a controversy from which AAP was hard put to escape.

Kejriwal was cornered by both BJP and Congress who used the scam allegations and the 'Sheesh Mahal' as a poll plank. It was enough for them to severely dent Kejriwal's image of an aam aadmi who once rode into politics in a blue Wagon R. That man, they told voters, had become someone who yearned for a super deluxe residence for himself.

While the Kejriwal's ouster is seen as a statement on his brand of politics, it also raises the big question about the way forward for AAP, indeed for its very survival. This is the first time since its inception that AAP will sit in the opposition. Keeping the flock together will be challenging because Kejriwal, though the party's national convener, will no longer be part of the assembly after his defeat in the New Delhi constituency.