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HomeOpinionRemember Arvind Kejriwal? Here’s how AAP lost the national plot

Remember Arvind Kejriwal? Here’s how AAP lost the national plot

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It seems like a long time ago when the AAP occupied the national political mindspace.

Around this time five years ago, as the election heat eclipsed the winter chill in Delhi, national politics was witnessing a contest between the BJP and the AAP. Arvind Kejriwal was closing the gap between him and the chief minister’s chair, while also preparing to make a splash in the Lok Sabha elections.

Five years later, national politics is back to looking like a BJP vs Congress contest. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) comes across as someone who’s begging the Congress for a pre-poll alliance in Delhi, having given up its national ambitions for the moment.


Also read: Arvind Kejriwal not the reason I quit Aam Aadmi Party: Ashish Khetan


Here’s how Arvind Kejriwal lost the national plot.

1. He couldn’t decide between Centre and states: State politics and national politics are two different things. They require a different approach. Arvind Kejriwal thought the route to Centre went through the states, but that’s not always true. The BJP went from two seats in 1984 to 85 seats in 1989 through a national campaign (Ram Janmabhoomi), without having a single CM. The same election saw an even greater surprise: V.P. Singh-led Janata Dal’s national campaign (Bofors) won the party 143 seats, making Singh a coalition Prime Minister.

Similarly, the Lokpal campaign had captured the national imagination, but Arvind Kejriwal took the less risky route of first fighting the Delhi assembly election as an experiment. The experiment succeeded, but Kejriwal resigned after 49 days with an unconvincing excuse and went to Varanasi to contest against Modi. Instead of fighting the incumbent Congress, he decided to challenge the challenger Modi.

So from the very beginning, the Aam Aadmi Party had been confused about fighting state and national elections. Unable to sail in two boats, it has now decided to sail in just one. Wisely so.

Perhaps he should have chosen the national path first, since the Lokpal movement and the AAP had national traction. Becoming a big national force would have made it easier to win states, rather than the other way round.

2. Trying to do both governance and agitation: Arvind Kejriwal wanted to retain his angry young agitationist image and at the same time become the face of transformative new governance. Once again, trying to sail in two boats. It hurt the AAP badly when Kejriwal started sleeping on the streets to protest against the central government while being the Delhi CM.

The chief ministership came in the way of Kejriwal the agitator. For a whole year, he and his cabinet gave up governance in Delhi to try and win the Punjab assembly election. They lost Punjab and, immediately thereafter, were humiliated in Delhi’s municipal elections.


Also read: Nota for 1984 – Why AAP lost Punjab


If Kejriwal had to be the agitational challenger, fighting election after election, he should have made someone else the chief minister. He was trying to be Modi and Shah, Sonia and Manmohan at the same time. Having learnt the hard way, he has now chosen the governance path, preferring a slow process of building a Delhi model of governance before he goes national in a serious way again.

3. Negative campaigning: “Modi is a coward and a psychopath,” Kejriwal famously tweeted in December 2015. His party even ran a Twitter campaign targeting PM Modi over his estranged wife. The first thing Kejriwal would do in those days after waking up was to tweet against Modi. He even put out a video saying Modi can get him killed.

The viciousness wasn’t as surprising as the personal nature of these attacks. But after the AAP lost Punjab and the BJP won Uttar Pradesh, Kejriwal realised his mistakes. Calling Modi names wasn’t going to make Kejriwal the main anti-Modi force in the country. Voters like positive campaigning, just like the AAP had done in Delhi. Voters want to know what the AAP can do for them, not what the AAP thinks of Modi. Having learnt this lesson the hard way, it is now focusing on showing governance achievements.

4. Put all eggs in the Punjab basket: The AAP was so confident of winning Punjab with a 2/3rd majority that it didn’t prepare a plan B. It was so confident of winning Punjab that it forgot that it has to run Delhi. As the national capital was fighting mosquitoes and pollution, the AAP government was AWOL – absent without leave.

Having won 67 of the 70 seats in Delhi, the AAP thought it was going to sweep Punjab, and then who could prevent it from replacing the Congress and becoming the primary national opposition to the BJP in every other state and at the Centre? The party has now decided to go slow on its national ambitions so that it doesn’t lose Delhi in trying to win everything else.

5. Wants complete loyalty: Arvind Kejriwal is not only authoritarian and undemocratic like any other party boss, but he’s worse because he demands 100 per cent loyalty. Heady after winning 67 of the 70 seats in Delhi, he proceeded to get rid of anyone who had an independent mind and dared to disagree with him.

Not only Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav but others like Mayank Gandhi and Kumar Vishwas have had to pay the price. Kejriwal doesn’t seem to realise that he can have transactional relations with senior leaders in his own party without having their 100 per cent loyalty. In his book AAP and Down, Mayank Gandhi paints a bleak picture of how untrusting and undemocratic Arvind Kejriwal is. Makes Modi and the Gandhis look like saints.

6. Can’t let the party become bigger than himself: Arvind Kejriwal led from the front in Punjab, and that’s why the AAP lost that election. It became a Delhi vs Punjab battle within the AAP. Undermining local leaders and imposing ideas from the top had a purpose. Kejriwal himself wanted to be the Punjab CM. In the process, the AAP started losing the immense popularity it had acquired. In flirting with hardliners, it showed its immaturity.

After losing Punjab, Kejriwal did not take any responsibility for the loss. He deflected any potential questions about his leadership with his outlandish theories on election rigging. The idea was to fool the AAP volunteers more than anyone else. The AAP has now virtually collapsed in Punjab because Kejriwal selfishly apologised to Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia to settle his defamation case.

If winning 67 of the 70 seats in Delhi went to Kejriwal’s head, the defeat in Punjab brought him back to earth again. But the party’s expansion in other states and in national politics is still hostage to the strengths and limitations of one man, the supreme leader. The AAP was a collective national dream of volunteers and ordinary citizens across India. Arvind Kejriwal was only its face. But he hijacked the dream because he could not let it become bigger than his own persona.


Also read: Here’s why Imran Khan is not Pakistan’s Arvind Kejriwal


A cat has nine lives

Never write off a politician, they say. Perhaps the AAP will bounce back one day and become a national force to reckon with. Perhaps people across India will be impressed by its efforts to govern Delhi. Or perhaps not. But even if it fails, it has already done India a great service. It has shown that another world is possible. That it’s possible for ordinary citizens to come together and shake up the country’s political system. The AAP’s failures are as much a tribute to the Indian democracy as its successes.

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27 COMMENTS

  1. This Article Is Biased. In Politics There Are Lots Of Ups And Downs; Especially When Two National Parties (BJP And Congress) Are Hell Bent To Destroy Aam Admi Party. Kejrival And Manish Shishodiya Have Done Great Work In The Field Of Education And Health. Though Improvement Is Always Desired, Still The People Of Delhi Are Quite Happy With AAP’s Work; Especislly In Education. What Common Man Needs? Good Education To And Better Health Of Their Kids.

  2. The AAP win in delhi made AK feel that if he can defeat Modi then he is invincible.His subsequent defeat in 2014 LS polls should have made him think and ponder.
    The subsequent 5 Saal Kejriwal in Delhi was a promise he has to fulfill along with the promises AAP made to the people of Delhi.Most of the promises are being fulfilled like free water, reduced electricity bills, good improvement in govt schools and hospitals and mohalla clinics.The completion of some projects below the budget and saving of 100 crores is unheard of in govt projects.This proved that AAP kept its promise of reducing corruption.Performing with continous interference and non cooperation from the LG who wanted every scheme of AAP to fail is itself a win.Punjab has given a big lesson to AAP and it appears to have realized that his 1 man army approach will not work.Leaders like mayank gandhi and others would have proven to be assets and State level leaders need to be developed.AK should fight 2019 LS elections from Delhi and give the reins of delhi to his deputy. AAP has proven its governance in delhi for 4 years and AK should move to the national level politics and concentrate on developing AAP in smaller states at the grass root level.It is good that AK has stopped his negative campaign against Modi and agitational politics and moved to governance which is giving the positive results in Delhi itself. AAP has lost some good leaders and supporters and Ak needs to refocus on the vision of AAP. The real ASSET is the AAP volunteer who has helped AAP to bring about this monumental shift in indian politics. AAP is still in the hearts and minds of the people who want to see India free of corruption.It will be a long and difficult path as other parties with their money and muscle power will try everything to pulldown down AAP. It is important to remain focussed on the principles AAP was based on and not succumb to pressures. AAP vision is to replace the BJP and Congress at the national level.So there should be no collaboration/arrangement with both these parties.The immediate focus for 2019 should be Delhi, punjab, Haryana, goa, Himachal, Uttaranchal and Jharkand.

  3. I was very hopeful with the success of AAP in Delhi. I felt this will transform India.
    But let me smell the coffee. Pan India success needs tons of money. Indian voters knows only to get money for elections and not pay for it.
    As I’m aware corruption is only a tea time talk for certain sections of people. Efficiency and smart governance is a concern of no one here.
    While free-money , caste , religion are high in people mind here.
    Then why will you need such party across India.
    AAP will not survive, not because of its leaders, But India is not ready for the clean and better politics. We don’t have a platform here for such flavor of governance.
    May be my great grand son may see better politics in India. After all It took so many years for Europe to achieve better politics there.
    For now, lets be content that some form of Democracy is still running here and It may take us some better place in future. Don’t expect more.

  4. The problem is media never report the good work done by AAP even though AAP did outstanding work that shows they know how to govern unlike BJP or Congress.
    Media always take AAP while covering fake negative news like the so called resignation of Alka Lamba which never happened.
    Blame yourself MEDIA before blaming others.

  5. The likes of Kejriwal are a bane to the Indian politics. It only projects how freebies for a large mass and climbing over shoulders of a mass attraction like Anna can propel you .Kejriwal has nothing concrete to show for as a good leader in politics. The education policy and health clinics cannot be construed as path breaking and the rest is in the daily news
    More effort and sincerity and honesty is required by all AAP leaders for any positive foothold.

    • First kejriwal should stop selling tickets, Jain is ATM for kujliwal and he corrupt. Rai is a goon. Good people have left and he has some goons and thugs. He will be complete failure

  6. As in a 50 over cricket match there is a consolidation phase between 30 and 40 overs AAP is currently going through a similar phase. So, people, don’t jump to conclusions and try to write it’s epitaph. Just like a start up it made its mistakes. But it still has a lot of steam left.
    It will be Congress that will seek AAP support in 2019, not the other way.
    Yes, it’s dream of becoming a national party may have been hurt. This is largely because it has no access to free flow of funds.
    Lets wait and watch what Arvind has in him in the next one year. We all need to wish him good luck and not loose patience.

  7. I’m sorry ,but were you drunk when u decided to write this piece of trash??
    Unlike other politicians ,he is going for quality work real time… He did much more than he promised in delhi. He is one of his kind,i can’t say that enough … Not your modi or gandhi or blah.. It’s sad you keep writing trash about people actually doing Great work…
    His ideologies were crystal clear, and surprisingly still the same even after coming to power…A very rare thing in a politician ..no surprise people who expected him to transform into typical “paise khau” cm had to leave when they realized there is nothing to be gained here in terms of money or power…

    Central govt has made it difficult to work in delhi time and again, and we all know why… Yet the man keeps fighting for whats right..
    We voted for the right person, im sure every delhitie will agree… We voted for change and development.. I feel sad other states are still struck at ram mandir… Or maybe trashy articles like urs never let them see???

  8. It is true that Kejriwal is dictatorial; but it is also true that none else in AAP could match his communication skill with aam aadmi which made him the only mass leader in AAP. Those ousted leaders are ambitious but rootless and that’s why they couldn’t stand any chance in their challenge to Kejriwal for controlling the party.

  9. The author is either totally biased in favor of BJP or is a NUT in totality.
    Running a political out fit against a totally hostile regime & that too a totalitarian regime is not a joke.
    The author seems to think that it is like running roadside pan or chayaka (fueled by gutter ga) or pakodaka thela
    With such authors day is not far off when The Print will close the shop. Sooner the better.
    I am not fool to contribute to such obnoxious print media

  10. Jitne logo ne chhoda hai woh sab mil kai ek party bana le , aur ek Kam karke dikha de .

    Bahar reh ke naitikta ki bat karna bahut aasan hai system ke andar as ke sabse mar khake ek Kam karna bahut katheen hai.

  11. I cannot agree with the assessment on Kejriwal. He and Sisodia were true anti-corruption warriors long before they came into limelight. This is indisputable. Many Like Prashant and YYadhav joined the Anti corruption Bandwangon after the success of JAN LOK PAL movement. It is fresh in the memory of those who watched the quarrel in the news. The due were seeking something outlandish role / demand from KEJRIWAL that was not shared in public. Kejriwal was positive and put several steps forward. Appear to be some POWER SHARE issue!???’
    The duo started their own shop! Did not make a progress is a proof of their worth. Some made overtures to BJP and reason was seeking Greener pastures.
    Anyone can make wrong judgments after all we are all human. But Kejriwal stood-out! proved his worth. The only Leader PM MODI really hate and fear is not RaGa or any one else. It is Kejriwal. Because he delivers that he promised which Modiji did not.
    His tribe should grow if India should become corruption free some day.
    His tribe should grow his common man and not Cronies flourish!
    The only pro people and pro poor in India . Not even left group that merely exploit poor and benefit from poverty.

  12. The entire AAP story was built against corruption and primarily against Congress. However after sweeping Delhi. AAP leaders thought they can do the same in center. Immidietly they changed their opponent from Congress to BJP. Reason – Congress was lost 2014 even before the election started. There was no opposition to BJP. Unfortunately instead of staying true to its original idea. AAP is again joining hands with the same Congress. Don’t know what happened to all the new rules it promised while doing agitation. There was at least a dozen of them.
    No matter what it does now. It’s no more a party with difference. The next Delhi election is not going to be a cake walk for AAP. Both Congress and BJP will challenge it. Maybe knowing the fact AAP leaders are getting closer to Congress.

  13. Very naive perception by Shivam Vij.

    The attempt by the likes of Yogendra Yadav, etc to contest nationally was a very big mistake. One has to build ground up to create and grow the “participatory” model. The IAC movement was a well orchestrated move by the RSS & BJP with media houses being managed incredibly well. The nation bought into it. We can now see how all the noise makers have been rewarded : from Kiran Bedi to Gen V.K.Singh, etc

    The concept of AAP must not be allowed to be destroyed

  14. Arvind Kejriwal is a megalomaniac. That is is basic reason for the downfall of AAP. Like Congress is a party for just one dynasty, AAP is a party for just one person.

  15. AAP lost due to rigged EVMs otherwise punjab, goa would have been won like delhi
    All sain ppl want development and better life and not mandir masjid

  16. I dont know whether you are biased or It is your inability to see things in different angles.
    Narendra Modi Fought against Central Government as Opposition and Ruled Gujarat As CM simultaneously from 2007 To 2104.
    His identity as an agitator is because the continuous interference of Central Government In Delhi.
    Gujarat Wasnt A Unian Territory. So Modi didnt go for agitations for Right To Rule Government.
    And You Said BJP compaigned LS Elections in 1989 without Having One CM.
    Their Major Agenda Or Manifesto Was Hindutva which can easliy attract mass. While It is not easy to Convince People to Vote For A Party Having Corruption Free India As Their Major Agendra. More over a Lot Of People Wont Come In to This Politics Becuase a Majority Comes To Politics For Exploitation. Serving The Country May not be Their agenda.

  17. It it rejuvenates itself (if at all) to build a better Delhi, and thereafter a better nation, it can only be termed as an April Fool joke played on Indian people. There was much energy wasted on negative campaigning, populist politics and organisational infighting. Unfortunately, Kejriwal has pushed himself to the periphery. Now his only hope is Rahul Gandhi. To beat Modi, he will have to play second fiddle to the ‘prince’.

  18. Felt reassured after watching Cut the Clutter that the AAP government is doing well in Delhi. It has had to overcome a lot of man made difficulties and obstacles. Think of it as a well entrenched regional party for Delhi, which has many of the attributes of a world class city. Making the transition to a national party is incredibly difficult, as even senior politicians like Shri Sharad Pawar will attest.

  19. AAP was the culmination of the dream of millions of common people fed up of corruption, crony capitalism and the failed promises of politicians who came once in 5 years for votes and forgot the masses for the next 5 years.Both the BJP and Congress have cheated the electorate and failed in their promises.Congress failed in the garibi hatao and BJP failed to bring Ache din.AAM Aadmi party came as a breath of fresh air without the usual political funda of promise before elections and then forget after elections.The promise of the betterment of society like improved schools and hospitals are being noticed and recognized not only in india but also around the world.Other state governments are following the Delhi Model for education.Corruption free administration has been the Hallmark and free delivery of government services have removed any corruption that used to take place normally which the common man had to bear with.

  20. The leaders of AAP do not wish to leave the comforts of their Delhi homes. If they want to succeed in their Pan-India efforts, they must move to a central place.

  21. Just as AAP has had its rise and fall, many common observers like me have had a rise and fall of hope in AAP. All because of Arvind Kejriwal. The last nail was his series of apologies to people like Majithia and Arun Jaitley.

    One casualty of the AAP saga is a very capable man, Manish Sisodia. He comes across as efficient, hardworking hands-on leader, polite yet firm, reticent and articulate in the right mix. Knowledgeable and confident. I would even call him PM-material. It’s a pity that he pledged his troth to Kejriwal, who completely eclipsed him. Kejriwal will push AAP into wilderness unless they win Delhi again. I hope they do.

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