It is evident that by arresting Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the midst of electioneering in connection with the Liquor Scam, the Enforcement Directorate has perhaps inadvertently allowed the Aam Aadmi Party Supremo to dictate the agenda. While it is for the courts to determine the legality of the ED action, the issue has multiple political fall outs, which could in the end harm the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is seeking a third term in office for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The matter has already assumed international dimensions with the United States, Germany and even the United Nations wading into this controversy. The Indian government on its part has rightly advised them not to interfere in the country’s internal matter since there was a rule of law that prevailed here. The AAP has also hit back and plans to organize country wide protests against the arrest. On Sunday, the Opposition may collectively resort to a huge demonstration to highlight how various government agencies were being used to stifle dissent.
There are also allegations that those who had provided statements on the basis of which, the Delhi Chief Minister had been arrested, were at one level supporters of the BJP or its allies. This is a serious charge and the courts would examine every aspect to reach to the bottom of the truth. So far as Kejriwal is concerned, he is determined to fight back. In fact, he is compelling the Centre to take action against him politically. This means that he would be happy if the Union government dismisses him for flouting established norms.
There has already been a furore over how certain orders were issued by him to his staff while he was still in custody. Questions have been raised over the correctness of these actions and whether this would be tenable as per the existing laws and the constitution. The Delhi Lt.Governor has already made it known that the government cannot be run from the jail meaning that Kejriwal’s removal from his position was certainly on cards. The question that arises is that whether these so-called orders were actually issued while he is in ED custody or there is some other aspect to them.
It is well-known that Kejriwal had been anticipating his arrest and was therefore also planning. There is a possibility that he may have signed some orders while he was in office without assigning any date or number to them. These were then passed on to his ministers. The directions were released to the media once he was arrested, giving an impression that they were signed and issued during his custody. This issue can only be established once a thorough inquiry is held, and with each passing day and the election date hovering over the political arena, the Centre must be in a dilemma on how to act further. It can be recalled that the Delhi CM had stated on multiple occasions that he was an anarchist, and if his assertion is to be believed than his actions are consistent with his claim.
The Centre is in a panic mode since the entire political narrative is being dictated by the AAP supremo and media headlines are highlighting him and his actions. In addition, the media focus is also on Maharashtra and Bihar developments thus for the first time in many months, the spotlight is off the BJP and its leaders. There has been a lot of speculation on what would be the ramifications of an action which entails the dismissal following the arrest of the Delhi Chief Minister.
The Centre has the powers to do so and the President can withdraw her pleasure which she granted to Kejriwal for being appointed the Chief Minister in the wake of his party’s electoral victory in the Assembly elections of 2020. The dismissal would be the extreme step and could lead to the suspension of the Delhi assembly unless the AAP elects someone else to succeed Kejriwal. This is unlikely and it cannot be ruled out that the dismissal would be sought to be made into a big issue concerning democracy in the midst of the ongoing elections. Anyone who has watched Kejriwal would also recognize that fact that he would fight back and even while he is in jail, could keep the focus on himself.
This he may do with his party hitting the streets and calling for a country-wide bandh with the help of the allies, or he may choose to enter the fray for Parliamentary elections to drive home his point. Therefore, the likelihood of the Delhi Chief Minister contesting the Lok Sabha from New Delhi cannot be ruled out categorically. This action would keep him in the news and his being in the contest from the national capital would have its own impact elsewhere. Kejriwal shall also be widely covered by the international media which would continue to raise questions regarding the existence of free and fair elections.
This is a situation the Centre may not have anticipated, and has thus to now prepare for an alternate strategy. There is already a full-fledged war on the social media between supporters of the Chief Minister and those having allegiance to the BJP. The Saffron Brigade is accusing him of corruption while the AAP is trying to make it appear like a case of political vendetta. In the middle of all this, there are reports that Kejriwal’s health is deteriorating, something which could evoke the sympathy factor for him. The issue is playing out in public domain and how it would end is something which is difficult to predict at this Stage. Therefore, the final conclusion is awaited.