Arvind Kejriwal is an Indian politician and the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He is also the former Chief Minister of Delhi. Before venturing into politics, Kejriwal was a civil servant, having graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur with a degree in mechanical engineering. He later joined the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) as a Joint Commissioner of Income Tax.
Arvind Kejriwal rose to prominence as an anti-corruption activist during the India Against Corruption movement, which gained widespread support in the early 2010s. In 2012, he founded the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to bring transparency and combat corruption in politics. Kejriwal became the youngest Chief Minister of Delhi in 2013, leading a coalition government with the Congress, but his tenure lasted only 49 days due to his resignation over the failure to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill. He was re-elected as Chief Minister in 2015, securing a historic mandate for AAP with a landslide victory.
In 2024, Kejriwal resigned as Chief Minister following his involvement in the 2022 excise policy scam. Allegations surfaced that changes made to Delhi’s excise policy benefited liquor suppliers, leading to investigations by central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Kejriwal denied the allegations, and after being granted bail in the case, he announced his intention to seek a “certificate” from the people in the upcoming elections. His leadership of AAP and the “Brand Kejriwal” face a major test in the 2025 Delhi assembly elections.
Kejriwal’s tenure was also marked by frequent clashes with Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, with tensions often escalating over administrative control and decision-making, particularly in areas that fell under central government jurisdiction.
Gandhi ji also used to refer himself in third person – as “”Bapu ”
.Does it make him have – ” discomfort with the self… narcissistic wounds are being defended by identifying with a grandiose false self while the true self is fragile…”
I dont hink so.
Bapuji was an epitome of humility and righteousness.
This column by Shekhar Gupta has distorted facts.
Rahul Gandhi’s interview shows both the above mentioned intents. Modi and Kejariwal have utter conviction that their actions were and will be always right. This may be called as suggesting their autocratic tendencies as the author means.
I remember having read from newspapers Acharya Vinoba Bhave used to refer himself in third person in public speeches during his Bhhudan Movement.
Referring self in third person can be considerd as ìnterpreting one’s actions and abilities from the viewpoint of others. Of course the interpretation will vary depending upon who “the others ” are. If they are the followers who respect him then the usage suggests the conviction of the speaker that what he/she does is perfectly justified. On the other hand when the speaker uses third person reference for self while answering critics the usage may be mocking as in Vajpayee’s retort to interviewer’s lightheartedly disparaging question. It can also be an angry retort in some cases.
One more famous “character” who referred to himself in third person was, of course, Gabbar Singh. This would have rounded this article off quite nicely
It is always a pleasure to read (or listen to) Sri Shekhar Gupta.
My observations: (1) Sri Kejriwal rated as one of the 3 most important politicians- this is an elevation for Sri Kejriwal. (2) Now that this aspect (talking in 3rd person) has been highlighted, I shall keep a watch who amongst the 3 can overcome this behaviour and how soon. (3) Once while calling out the names of winners in a small prize distribution ceremony (where I was also a competitor), I announced “yours truly” when the time came for me to call myself as the winner. This was more an expression of modesty. So, not all expressions in 3rd persons is condemnable.