NEW DELHI: Revolution. New politics. Political startup. That’s all echoed ten years again as folks, significantly in New Delhi, witnessed a “glint of hope” radiating from Ram Lila Maidan.When the ruling Congress on the Centre confronted warmth over the unravelling of corruption instances in 2011, the long-lasting floor in Delhi galvanised the folks in opposition to what appeared indomitable dispensation.
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On the centre of the historic Ram Lila Maidan protest have been Anna Hazare and his protege Arvind Kejriwal, main the plenty with a key demand — Jan Lok Pal.The India Towards Corruption motion peaked when the Congress-led UPA regime ordered cops to infiltrate the historic floor to disperse the group. The transfer backfired. It earned the protest nationwide sympathy and made the scenario for the federal government leaner.Unable to make a huge impact from apolitical motion and lack of legislative may, workforce Kejriwal determined to drift a celebration to deliver a “real change” in India’s political panorama. Consequently, the Aam Aadmi Social gathering (AAP) got here into existence on October 2, 2o12, which additionally marked the delivery anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
First whiff of energy
The political canvas was contemporary and clean for Kejriwal to go away an indelible imprint in 2013 when he made his political debut in opposition to Sheila Dikshit-led Congress authorities. The promise of other politics served Kejriwal with a good electoral dividend as he defeated Sheila Dikshit from the New Delhi seat by a whopping margin of twenty-two,000 votes. Nonetheless, the social gathering did not safe a majority because it gained 28 seats, solely 8 wanting the magic mark.In a primary shock name, the AAP declared to kind a authorities with Congress’s help — the identical social gathering protesting in opposition to which it had come to prominence. It was, nevertheless, seen as an association to navigate by means of the impasse the hung mandate had created. As anticipated, the federal government was short-lived as Kejriwal resigned in 49 days as a result of the Lokpal Invoice (anti-corruption legislation) was not handed because of alleged opposition from its ally Congress.
Decimation of opposition
In 2015, the Aam Aadmi Social gathering (AAP) decimated the BJP and Congress by recording a landslide victory because it gained 67 of the 70 seats within the Delhi meeting elections, halting the Modi juggernaut in its tracks. The AAP gained greater than 90 per cent of the seats, a feat achieved solely twice earlier than in Sikkim and Bihar.
Pushed by its robust give attention to governance and welfare insurance policies, the Kejriwal-led authorities carried out a number of fashionable schemes, comparable to free electrical energy (as much as 200 models), free water (as much as 20,000 litres), improved authorities colleges, and Mohalla Clinics for healthcare. These initiatives resonated with the widespread folks, significantly the decrease and center courses, who noticed direct advantages of their each day lives. The technique of projecting Kejriwal as a “work-oriented leader” helped AAP safe an enormous victory, profitable 62 out of 70 seats within the 2020 Delhi Meeting.
From native to nationwide
AAP transitioned from an area social gathering in Delhi to a nationwide social gathering after its huge breakthrough within the 2022 Punjab meeting elections, the place Kejriwal’s social gathering gained a landslide victory with 92 out of 117 seats, forming its second full-fledged state authorities. This victory established AAP as a key contender past Delhi.
Deep dent of controversies
The 2 controversies that put AAP and Kejriwal’s credibility underneath critical scrutiny have been the ‘sheesh mahal’ and the Delhi liquor coverage case, with critics arguing that the social gathering, which as soon as promised clear politics didn’t stroll the speak. Whereas the Sheesh Mahal controversy has dented Kejriwal’s picture as a pacesetter of simplicity, the liquor coverage rip-off has given the opposition contemporary ammunition to assault AAP’s anti-corruption stance. The social gathering, nevertheless, remained defiant, insisting that each controversies have been politically motivated.
The unprecedented fall
Using excessive on the anti-incumbency and on the again of the corruption fees, AAP misplaced its Delhi bastion within the 2025 meeting election. The BJP has managed to breach Kejriwal’s Delhi fortress to regain energy after a spot of 27 years. The saffron social gathering gained 48 seats within the 70-seat meeting.
When it rains it pours, because the adage goes, the AAP not solely misplaced the election however its chief Arvind Kejriwal was additionally trounced by BJP’s Parvesh Verma by greater than 4,000 votes from the identical New Delhi meeting seat, which Kejriwal used for his political debut.
