In this series, covering the probable prime ministerial candidates for the upcoming 2019 elections, we are going to take a look at the Delhi chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal as a prime ministerial candidate. Kejriwal has been eyeing big ever since he founded the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). In fact, he went to the extent of deserting the people of Delhi in 2014 after he formed an alliance with the Congress and became the chief minister of Delhi for the first time. Even though he claimed powerless to be the reason behind his resignation, it was his prime ministerial ambitions which led to this horrible decision. AAP had to face an embarrassing defeat in the 2014 Lok Sabha, however, he is expected to stake claim on the top post in the run up to the 2019 elections as well.
A major advantage with Kejriwal and the AAP is their never-say die attitude. Kejriwal has always shown the ability to come back from the most awkward political situations. On account of this attitude he was able to make a stunning comeback even after the humbling defeat that he faced in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. It is only because of effective campaigning and advertisement that he made a comeback even after being labelled a fugitive. On account of lucrative promises and extensive propaganda he was able to secure an unexpected victory in Delhi.
AAP has also quickly learned the ability to indulge in petty vote bank politics and to secure for itself community based vote banks. Its association with Khalistani elements and the Iftar parties hosted by Kejriwal show a clear attempt to impress upon the minorities and create a feasible vote bank.
However, despite his ability to surprise with unlikely comebacks Kejriwal will have an uphill task of convincing the voters about his shoddy track record. He has nothing to show as far as governance is concerned. In fact, his entire tenure has been marred by controversies and laughable excuses. Cheap publicity even as the people of Delhi are suffering under poor quality of governance has severely decreased his popularity. Moreover, he has nothing to answer as to what he has done in order to fight corruption during his tenure as the Delhi chief minister. One must keep in mind, that an anti-corruption crusade was the predominant factor behind the formation of AAP. However, it has nothing substantial to show as far as the fight against corruption is concerned.
Kejriwal has also made matters worse for himself by becoming synonymous with anarchy. Voters do consider stability as a factor during elections but Kejriwal has time and again shown his love for dharnas and ugly confrontations involving bureaucrats and the Centre.
The AAP convenor will see 2019 as a one-time opportunity for himself. The political circumstances are such that the entire leftist political cabal coming together against prime minister Modi despite their inherent prejudices and rifts. While Mamata Banerjee is being largely seen as the face of a grand coalition, Kejriwal will still consider himself a dark horse. It is also possible that the grand coalition actually agrees on the name of a “not so powerful” contender for the top post in order to keep the balance of power within the coalition in tact.
Kejriwal, however, will have a tough time in maintaining his political clout especially after a string of defeats including the Punjab Assembly polls, Goa polls and MCD elections. Questions could be raised within the grand coalition about the capability of a constituent who has limited significance restricted to Delhi and that too is under threat.
Moreover, it appears that he has become somewhat politically untouchable as far as the grand alliance is concerned. There have been clear indications of the AAP drifting away from the grand coalition constituents. In fact, the Delhi chief minister has himself stated that his party will not join proposed grand coalition against the BJP for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Clearly, he appears out of place as far as the grand coalition is concerned.
While Kejriwal has the ability of extensive propaganda and campaigning to make up for lacking in substance. He has nothing to show as far as his tenure as the Delhi chief minister is concerned. It must be borne in mind that extensive and false propaganda can work only a few times and once incompetence comes within ordinary knowledge of the voters, such tactics no longer seem viable.
