Delhi polls: Is Arvind Kejriwal's loss from New Delhi a bigger defeat for AAP?

Arvind Kejriwal

Arvind Kejriwal, former Delhi chief minister's shock defeat to Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Parvesh verma from New Delhi assembly constituency is bound to have deeper political ramifications than his outfit's (Aam Aadmi Party) worst performance since it's first successful outing in competitive politics in 2013, when it won 28 seats.

The AAP  patriarch's defeat - announced minutes after his former deputy, Manish Sisodia, surrendered his contest in Janpgura - underlined the scale of his party's rout and also a telling commentary on the political future of a young national party.

AAP's campaign, marked singularly by 'Brand Kejriwal' took on BJP and promised to continue the slew of competitive sops or welfare measures. Taking on the might of BJP was no easy task for a young outfit like AAP. However, the party relied excessively on Kejriwal's public image and the outfit's positive record in terms of deliverables.

When kejriwal faced his biggest test

The Aam Aadmi Party, in-extension Kejriwal probably faced its biggest test so far in over a decade-long existence. After disappointing performances at the Lok Sabha elections and the Haryana state polls, all eyes were on the party which was born out of an anti-corruption movement but which now itself faces a myriad of corruption allegations. In essence, today's poll outcome will go a long way in determining the party’s place in the constantly changing political landscape of India for a long time to come.

How 'brand Kejriwal' took a beating

A quick recall of AAP's history reveals that the party right from its infancy has been synonymous with brand Kejriwal. Arvind Kejriwal, was not your average politician to start with. The man who quit his Revenue services job, did not wear the trademark Nehru Jacket and shunned all other usual characteristics of politicians, almost came as an agent of change.

The common man identified with his untucked short, his no-nonsense demeanour and offered the much needed alternative to the people of Delhi, desperate for development, change and someone who could take up the challenges. However the winds of change did set forth but in the wrong direction.

The anti-corruption image of Kejriwal and his party was dented with claims about the AAP’s involvement in the Delhi excise Scam and chatters about Kejriwal-led AAP using the ill-gotten money for elections in other states also gained momentum.

With the BJP all set to form the government in Delhi after 27 years, it has not only marked a rejection of Kejriwal's leadership but has also potentially dismantled the AAP's ambitions of becoming a pan-Indian alternative to the BJP.

AAP's electoral footprint

In absolute terms, the strength of AAP in Parliament seems encouraging. But the electoral fine print of 2024 is far from that. The recent electoral outings (Lok Sabha & Haryana polls) of AAP have been dismal. In the Lok Sabha elections, AAP (in alliance with Congress) could not win a single seat in Delhi - a state held by the party since 2015. Even in Punjab parliamentary elections, the party could not capitalize on its decisive victory in 2022 assembly elections. It improved its Punjab tally from 2 seats in 17th Lok Sabha to a mere 3 seats this year.