At 56 and with a surprise announcement of resignation from his post on Sunday, Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal is at a crucial juncture in his political career while completing more than a decade in politics.
A man who has now made his name in the political landscape of the nation, Kejriwal's journey in politics began with his role in the India Against Corruption movement in 2011. The movement, led by activist Anna Hazare, aimed to push for the passage of the Jan Lokpal Bill, which sought to establish an independent body to investigate corruption cases.
During this period, Kejriwal emerged as a key figure advocating for clean governance and transparency. His involvement in the movement and his stand against corruption garnered significant public support, setting the stage for his political career. Inspired by the movement and the public's call for clean governance, Kejriwal founded the AAP in 2012.
The party's foundation was built on the principles of anti-corruption and transparency, and it quickly captured the public's imagination, especially in urban areas tired of traditional politics. In its political debut during the Delhi assembly elections in 2013, AAP stunned established political parties by winning 28 out of 70 seats.
This victory propelled Kejriwal to the Chief Minister’s office, but his first term was short-lived. After just 49 days in power, Kejriwal resigned, citing difficulties in passing the Jan Lokpal Bill. This abrupt resignation was a controversial move, sparking both criticism for its perceived impulsiveness and praise for his commitment to anti-corruption principles.
Kejriwal and AAP made a remarkable comeback in the 2015 Delhi assembly elections. The party won a landslide victory, securing 67 of the 70 seats. Kejriwal was re-elected as Chief Minister, and his administration set out to focus on key public welfare areas such as education, healthcare, water, electricity, and infrastructure. Kejriwal’s third consecutive term came after the 2020 Delhi assembly elections, where AAP once again dominated the polls. Representing the New Delhi constituency, Kejriwal continued to focus on the issues of education, healthcare, and infrastructure. However, his political career has also been marked by frequent clashes with the central government.
In 2014, he contested the Lok Sabha elections against Narendra Modi in Varanasi but lost. Despite this setback, he remained a vocal critic of the Modi government, often confronting Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. Before entering the political arena, Kejriwal was an officer in the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). He was actively involved in advocating for governance reforms and the Right to Information (RTI) movement, emphasizing transparency in public offices. He also received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for emergent leadership in 2006.
In recent times, however, Kejriwal found himself embroiled in a legal battle related to the Delhi excise policy. The Supreme Court’s decision to grant him bail offered a temporary respite, yet the legal turmoil has cast a shadow over his administration.
