(Dr Pentapati Pullarao)
Just today Kejriwal announced his future. Kejriwal said that if the BJP loses the election, then he will be out of jail in June 2024. Kejriwal also meant that if BJP wins, he will continue to be in jail. This is a very realistic prediction of Kejriwal. Kejriwal enjoyed great prestige till recently. In 2019, Kejriwal contested against Prime Minister Modi in Varanasi and got 2 lakh votes. Kejriwal party got prestigious National Party status in April 2023 from Election Commission as it was fast spreading in India. But recent political events have cast a shadow on Kejriwal and many wonder whether his one-man party will slowly decline. Kejriwal led the Anna Hazare agitation against corruption and formed the AAP party in November 2012. In December 2013, Kejriwal contested the Delhi elections and formed the Delhi Government. Since 2013, Kejriwal has won Delhi elections thrice.
1. Kejriwal came on the Indian political scene like a storm and brought new politics. Kejriwal showed India that an ordinary man can throw out powerful political machines like the Congress and BJP.
2. Strangely, while Kejriwal Delhi won thrice, he never could win a single lok Sabha MP from Delhi. People felt that he was a good Chief Minister. But people wanted Modi as prime Minister.
3. Kejriwal totally evicted Congress from Delhi and defeated Congress in Punjab. Yet, as the BJP artlessly and innocently attacked Kejriwal, it brought the bitter enemies together. Now Congress and Kejriwal are allies against BJP.
4. Kejriwal was astute and grew all over India. Yet strangely Kejriwal got entangled with Telugu businessmen and politicians and got jailed for the infamous ‘Delhi liquor Scam “.
Liquor Scam and Kejriwal: Some Telugu businessmen and politicians approached Kejriwal government and said that if the liquor policy was changed, then they could give huge sums of money to his party. These Telugu people explained to Kejriwal leaders that it was a policy change, and no one can stop them. Then huge money will be paid to whomever they want, anywhere in India. It seemed like a dream deal, as no money would be seen by Kejriwal leaders, and no crime would be committed. Liquor policy was changed and allegedly money was sent. But the crime was exposed by some disgruntled liquor merchants and many politicians went to jail, including Kejriwal. The Supreme court gave bail to Kejriwal till June 1, 2024, as there were elections. Whether Kejriwal is guilty or not, the Liquor Scam has tarnished his reputation. Kejriwal has given up his national ambitions. Surely, Kejriwal must be thinking of the 500-year-old German proverb written by Thomas Keomi’s: “Man proposes. God disposes. All the Liquor Scam plans failed and landed Kejriwal in jail.
Kejriwal in 2024 parliament election: Kejriwal is out on bail and canvassing parliament elections in alliance with Congress. Kejriwal si trying to get sympathy. There might be some sympathy. But the fact is that courts will not spare him if he is guilty. Laloo Prasad Yadav won elections. But Laloo went to jail. Moreover, Kejriwal has been enjoying office for 14 years and there is anti-incumbency. Future of Kejriwal:
a. If BJP wins the 2024 parliament elections, there will be much more trouble for Kejriwal, since CBI and ED will severely pursue money-laundering and corruption cases. Of course, if BJP loses, Kejriwal will get great relief.
b. There is no doubt that the Liquor Scam has dented the clean image of Kejriwal. Now Kejriwal is seen as just another politician. People may vote for him just as they vote for Laloo Prasad Yadav. But the original intellectual support has vanished.
c. Having an alliance with Congress means that Kejriwal will have to share MLA seats in Delhi at the next election. This will weaken Kejriwal, and his one-man party will decline Definitely, Kejriwal is facing problems and jail, which he never expected in life. There are problems on all sides. It reminds me of what Shakespeare wrote 600 years ago: “When sorrows come, they come not single spies but in battalions.” Kejriwal is facing multiple problems. Definitely, Kejriwal is regretting joining hands with our Telugu businessmen and politicians in the liquor scam. Kejriwal thought crimes will have no witnesses. All crimes have witnesses and sometimes witnesses come out.
Latest Kejriwal controversy on beating MP Swati Maliwal: Just a day ago, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal came running out of Kejriwal’s house and rushed to the police station, saying she was beaten up in presence of Kejriwal. Some AAP leaders begged her not to give a written complaint. A written complaint means Kejriwal ‘s bail will be cancelled. Certain stories have appeared that Maliwal was being forced to resign from Rajya Sabha, so that a senior Supreme court lawyer defending Kejriwal can be accommodated. This is un-heard of in Indian politics. If this is true, then Kejriwal fits Lord Acton famous statement: Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Kejriwal is more desperate than he looks and is obviously very worried and ready to do anything. Nearly 2500 years ago, Greek philosophers said: Those whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad ‘. Kejriwal should be careful and avoid madness. The results of June 4, 2024, will show where Kejriwal will be, In jail or outside.
(Author is a Political and Economic Analyst based in New Delhi)
