‘Overconfidence & Apathy Caused AAP’s Defeat, Kejriwal’s Humiliation In Delhi’
Anshuman Jain, a Delhi based businessman and cultural activist, says Kejriwal made the mistake of taking the Delhi voters for granted. His views:
Hubris and arrogance are a man’s biggest enemy. Arvind Kejriwal, who once embodied simplicity, honesty, and a fierce anti-corruption stance, has seen a dramatic downfall. His journey from an idealistic activist to a politician accused of the very corruption he vowed to fight is nothing short of ironic. It reaffirms the age-old saying: power corrupts.
When Kejriwal stormed to victory in 2015 with an unprecedented mandate and repeated his success in 2020, he was in a position to bring genuine change to Delhi. However, instead of strengthening his moral standing, he chose the path of political expediency. Over time, he abandoned his earlier principles, focusing solely on retaining power at any cost.
The same leader who once shunned government bungalows and VIP culture ended up spending a staggering Rs45 crore on renovating his residence into a lavish palace-like property with five-star amenities. This blatant display of excess in a city where lakhs struggle for basic services was a clear indication of his growing sense of invincibility.
Kejriwal’s liquor policy was another major turning point. While his government claimed it was aimed at boosting revenue and bringing transparency, it ultimately led to a major scandal. His administration allegedly favored select private players, leading to huge losses for the exchequer. Though his party made significant money through the policy, they failed to plug loopholes, eventually inviting scrutiny and legal troubles. This, combined with the corruption allegations against top AAP leaders, shattered the clean image that Kejriwal had carefully cultivated over the years.
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Apart from policy failures, his political strategy also contributed to his downfall. Instead of focusing on governance, he resorted to making wild, unrealistic promises—often without a clear plan for execution. Freebies like free electricity, water, and bus rides for women were popular but unsustainable in the long run. As Delhi’s financial health worsened and development projects stalled, many in the middle class began to question the viability of his model.
Moreover, his constant confrontation with the central government proved detrimental. Rather than negotiating solutions, Kejriwal took a combative approach, often making exaggerated and unverified allegations against the BJP-led Centre. This not only led to frequent clashes but also allowed the BJP to systematically block or delay his initiatives. Over time, Delhiites saw governance coming to a standstill. While Kejriwal blamed the Centre for every roadblock, the electorate grew weary of the never-ending blame game. The middle class, which had once been his strong supporter, ultimately gave up on him, disillusioned by his inability to deliver tangible results.
His party’s expansion plans in other states also took a toll. While Kejriwal aspired to turn AAP into a national force, it diverted his attention from Delhi. The focus on Punjab, Gujarat, and other states came at the cost of local governance, making it seem like he had taken Delhi voters for granted.
In the end, it was a combination of arrogance, mismanagement, corruption allegations, and overconfidence that led to Kejriwal’s defeat. From being a beacon of hope to a leader many now see as just another politician, his downfall serves as a lesson in how power, when unchecked, can lead even the most well-intentioned leaders astray.
As told to Deepa Gupta
