If Arvind Kejriwal's pragmatic soft-nationalism does well in Delhi election, then it will offer a template for national and regional politics to counter the BJP’s rise.
On Sardar Patel’s birthday, we bring sharp perspectives on if the Congress party was unfair to its leaders like Sardar Patel who had a right-of-Centre ideology.
Mamdani’s politics feels unusual compared to India’s current climate. He unapologetically foregrounds Muslim identity at a time when doing so in India invites scrutiny.
On 4 November 2025, NCLAT bench, comprising Chairperson Justice Ashok Bhushan and Member Arun Baroka, noted that WhatsApp and Meta are distinct legal entities.
This world is being restructured and redrawn by one man, and what’s his power? It’s not his formidable military. It’s trade. With China, it turned on him.
I doubt Mr.Kejriwal will become a National leader even if he wins Delhi Assembly elections. Most favourable opinion polls predict much lesser seats to AAP than 2015.
It is true that no soft Hinduthva, but only soft appeasement of Muslims is the priority of this idiot called Kejrival. Unfortunately the writer has failed to highlight this.
In simple words, soft nationalism is a combination of Cholesterol + Blood Pressure and Diabetes, eventually leads to death with one being complacent and without pain. Thee are the fatality in the end.
HARD NATIONALISM IS AIDS COUPLED WITH CANCER AND CARONAVIRUS .
While the effort to find an answer to Modi is well worth it, this article does not hold water. The author herself links to a Vox article which criticises the concept of an “exhausted majority”. But she still uses it to suggest electoral strategy. In the reference article it says:
“This report [which came up with the concept of an exhausted majority] is not intended to provide a blueprint.” … “But that didn’t stop a coterie of centrist pundits as treating it as such, as a kind of skeleton key unlocking the American [here Indian] electorate and showing the way to fix the country’s problems. These efforts say more about the writers, and a certain kind of elite mindset, than it does the true nature of American [Indian] politics.”
“The center sees the problems of American [Indian] politics, correctly, as being a divide over identity. But their solution is some kind of compromise between Trump’s [read Modi’s] direct appeals to racism and Democratic “identity politics,” as if those two things are equal and opposite evils. They are not.“
Just read the Vox article: “Hidden Tribes” the new report centrists are using to explain away polarization, explained”
kejriwal shld get back with his original IAC team & shld focus on winning Punjab & keep doing what he is doing & fulfill as many as election promises , Yamuna cleaning should be prime objective as this will help him crack the cow belt , AAP needs to perform in a full state as that will show key issues of law & order , farmers
If with the help of section of Anti-Modi Media, Kejriwal is able to defeat BJP in current elections in Delhi , even then it will not make him a national level leader who the people will look forward to lead a national level alternative to BJP or Modi Ji . His silent tactical support to Muslims in Delhi opposing CAA is making him suspect in the eyes of vast majority of Hindus, who vote on pan -nationalistic issues in Parliamentary elections. He can not be trusted by the majority community to safe guard nation s interests against invading Islamic armies and terrorists and their internal sympathizers, as his heart weeps for them. He is not even adept in hiding his this face while weeping for them. .He has abandoned job as IRS officer to indulge in petty politics. In politics , he practised and followed short term objective of ruling a small state. Even before showing any concrete results of his governance model to country , he started thinking of himself as a accomplished leader greater than Modi Ji or Rahul G. But in today s world it is not possible ” to fool all the people all the times. “Like a short-run athlete who won one or two medals in his/her career , he will hang his boots sooner than expected.
Vast number of state level leaders of big states will never work under him as India is full of leaders who can over smart him .
It amazes to see people who have zero political insight and neglible power of analysis like you blatantly display their stupidity on media platforms with shamelessness. Mark my words Arvind Kejriwal will one day become the prime minister of this country.
Your low mental capacity is exploited by BJP who make you believe that Hinduism is in danger and you will only be saved if you vote for it
On what earth do you live, my friend? How can one be so delusional? Majority of media is not only pro-Modi but actually, it’s completely devoted to Modi.
The discourse on local development issues only has made the BJP campaign only about negative issues not related to local and also apparently polarising
Spot on! I’m a proud Hindu and was a loyal bhakt but am appalled, actually sickened by the rhetoric of BJP motormouths. Shall now vote for AAP because of Arvind Kejriwal’s positions.
To offer it as a template or a stronger template I think exemplary work is needed atleast in the non-bjp states to fill centre, especially socialism like the freebies of basic necessities whereby basic necessities are going costlier. Exemplary work should be done and propogated to make it the core competency which could tackle and give people an alternative to from right wing fundamentalism or nationalism. Kejriwal has strong chances of winning not just because he has changed the types of politics but also because of his work and propogation of the work.
Masterpiece article
I doubt Mr.Kejriwal will become a National leader even if he wins Delhi Assembly elections. Most favourable opinion polls predict much lesser seats to AAP than 2015.
It is true that no soft Hinduthva, but only soft appeasement of Muslims is the priority of this idiot called Kejrival. Unfortunately the writer has failed to highlight this.
In simple words, soft nationalism is a combination of Cholesterol + Blood Pressure and Diabetes, eventually leads to death with one being complacent and without pain. Thee are the fatality in the end.
Cholesterol + Blood Pressure +Diabetes = @ArvindKejriwal
HARD NATIONALISM IS AIDS COUPLED WITH CANCER AND CARONAVIRUS .
While the effort to find an answer to Modi is well worth it, this article does not hold water. The author herself links to a Vox article which criticises the concept of an “exhausted majority”. But she still uses it to suggest electoral strategy. In the reference article it says:
“This report [which came up with the concept of an exhausted majority] is not intended to provide a blueprint.” … “But that didn’t stop a coterie of centrist pundits as treating it as such, as a kind of skeleton key unlocking the American [here Indian] electorate and showing the way to fix the country’s problems. These efforts say more about the writers, and a certain kind of elite mindset, than it does the true nature of American [Indian] politics.”
“The center sees the problems of American [Indian] politics, correctly, as being a divide over identity. But their solution is some kind of compromise between Trump’s [read Modi’s] direct appeals to racism and Democratic “identity politics,” as if those two things are equal and opposite evils. They are not.“
Just read the Vox article: “Hidden Tribes” the new report centrists are using to explain away polarization, explained”
A master piece article on the current political scenario !
kejriwal shld get back with his original IAC team & shld focus on winning Punjab & keep doing what he is doing & fulfill as many as election promises , Yamuna cleaning should be prime objective as this will help him crack the cow belt , AAP needs to perform in a full state as that will show key issues of law & order , farmers
Excellent article!
If with the help of section of Anti-Modi Media, Kejriwal is able to defeat BJP in current elections in Delhi , even then it will not make him a national level leader who the people will look forward to lead a national level alternative to BJP or Modi Ji . His silent tactical support to Muslims in Delhi opposing CAA is making him suspect in the eyes of vast majority of Hindus, who vote on pan -nationalistic issues in Parliamentary elections. He can not be trusted by the majority community to safe guard nation s interests against invading Islamic armies and terrorists and their internal sympathizers, as his heart weeps for them. He is not even adept in hiding his this face while weeping for them. .He has abandoned job as IRS officer to indulge in petty politics. In politics , he practised and followed short term objective of ruling a small state. Even before showing any concrete results of his governance model to country , he started thinking of himself as a accomplished leader greater than Modi Ji or Rahul G. But in today s world it is not possible ” to fool all the people all the times. “Like a short-run athlete who won one or two medals in his/her career , he will hang his boots sooner than expected.
Vast number of state level leaders of big states will never work under him as India is full of leaders who can over smart him .
It amazes to see people who have zero political insight and neglible power of analysis like you blatantly display their stupidity on media platforms with shamelessness. Mark my words Arvind Kejriwal will one day become the prime minister of this country.
Your low mental capacity is exploited by BJP who make you believe that Hinduism is in danger and you will only be saved if you vote for it
On what earth do you live, my friend? How can one be so delusional? Majority of media is not only pro-Modi but actually, it’s completely devoted to Modi.
The discourse on local development issues only has made the BJP campaign only about negative issues not related to local and also apparently polarising
Kejriwal sould give me free iPad iPhone alcohol MacBook bmw fuel. Jai Kejriwal.
Spot on! I’m a proud Hindu and was a loyal bhakt but am appalled, actually sickened by the rhetoric of BJP motormouths. Shall now vote for AAP because of Arvind Kejriwal’s positions.
Kejriwal is a failed politician. No amount of propaganda can help him. He will end up as a mere irritation in Indian politics.
To offer it as a template or a stronger template I think exemplary work is needed atleast in the non-bjp states to fill centre, especially socialism like the freebies of basic necessities whereby basic necessities are going costlier. Exemplary work should be done and propogated to make it the core competency which could tackle and give people an alternative to from right wing fundamentalism or nationalism. Kejriwal has strong chances of winning not just because he has changed the types of politics but also because of his work and propogation of the work.
Brilliant analysis.
Hearty congratulations to Ms Rama Lakshmi and The Print for openly endorsing Aam Aadmi Party and Arvind Kejriwal.
More ThePrint endorses Kejriwal, less the vote AAP will get.