The release of Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Singh by the Apex Court on bail, in the liquor scam case, has come as a big morale booster for the cadres, who seem determined to ensure the victory of their nominees in the forthcoming Parliamentary polls.
Although Arvind Kejriwal is the Supremo and the main driving force behind his party, it is Sanjay Singh, who is the nuts-and-bolts man. He is the one who oversaw the 2015 elections and also played an equally vital role in the polls in 2020. Sanjay Singh has a very huge influence over the MLAs and other elected representatives. They all look up to him for day-to-day affairs, and for seeking specific directions. Sanjay Singh’s absence from the political scenario had left the AAP completely demoralized. There are not many who are aware that during the recent Assembly session which Arvind Kejriwal (before his arrest) was to address, the quorum was lacking as many members had stayed away.
It took a lot of persuasion to ensure that the MLAs were present in adequate numbers when the CM spoke. The party had been struggling ever since Manish Sisodia, who virtually ran the government, was taken into custody, and there was a downslide when Sanjay Singh too was arrested. The AAP that had defeated the BJP even in the municipal polls in the capital, has not been able to constitute some of the statutory bodies because there was no driving force. In fact, the Standing Committee, the most important body within the Municipal Corporation is yet to be announced. Now the Mayoral elections are also due.
Therefore, when the Apex Court ordered the release of Sanjay Singh on bail, something which was not opposed by the Enforcement Directorate, it was simply good news for the AAP.
Here is a man, who after getting out of the Tihar Jail, gave a fiery speech which has sent a very strong and encouraging message down the rank and file as also among supporters of the party. Sanjay Singh gave a clarion call to the party to fight back while accusing the BJP leadership of using government agencies to silence its critics. While reiterating his full faith in the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, he said, “Jail ke taale tooten ge, Hamare Saathi Chutege’’ (the jail locks shall be broken so that our associates can come out). This slogan had been used by the Socialists during the Emergency after fire-brand-trade union leader and later Union Minister George Fernandes, was arrested in the Baroda Dynamite case and jailed. His picture behind the bars published in newspapers and on posters had galvanized the people, who voted in large numbers in North India to defeat the Congress and Indira Gandhi at that time. What AAP is perhaps expecting is a similar turn of events. Whether this would happen or not, only time can tell. The BJP is going all out to win its third term, and its aggressive Modi centric campaign has created a perception that it was unbeatable.
The AAP which has a considerable influence both in Delhi and Punjab, shall try and unsettle the Saffron Brigade in order to diminish its numbers. In Punjab, although Bhagwant Singh Mann is the CM and the freebies offered by his government have given a distinct advantage to his party, yet there is a lot to be done in respect of the organsational structure. A tussle between voluntary AAP workers and those who had been enlisted on payment is going on.
This could be detrimental to the future of the party. Thus, it is expected that Sanjay Singh would also help in resolving these complicated internal matters. Yes, Sanjay Singh is jot Kejriwal but then the Delhi CM is also not aware of many things which were going on in his party because there were others to look after them. Kejriwal was able to secure a national status for AAP and his mandate was to expand the base of the organization in as many cities as possible. His arrest, was a big setback and the AAP seemed directionless though Atishi Singh put up a brave front to take on the adversaries.
The absence of Raghav Chadha, a Kejriwal favourite from the scene was also sending mixed signals. Raghav had gone to England for a retina related surgery and should hopefully be back as soon as the doctors give him the go ahead. The dilemma before the BJP continues, and it is still in two minds on whether to dismiss the Delhi government since Kejriwal has so far declined to resign. It is a game of brinkmanship as to who blinks first.
The Lt. Governor has made it known that he would not allow the government to be run from the jail, but no further action has so far been taken. On AAP’s part, there is no indication as to who shall replace Kejriwal, in case his government is sent packing. It is evident that the Delhi CM’s arrest has evoked sympathy for him and even many BJP supporters believe that the entire issue could have been handled differently. They feel that the arrest after the moral code of conduct has sent wrong signals though the ED maintains that the timing had nothing to do with the action which was the result of ongoing investigations. Kejriwal whose popularity had been diminishing has got a lifeline after his arrest and with Sanjay Singh out, the BJP shall certainly have a fight on its hand.