The writing is on the wall. Delhi’s chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is set to retain power and his Aam Aadmi Party tipped to win the assembly polls. This, not just going by the near-unanimity of the exit polls, but also by the confidence with which the regional party and its leaders faced the polls this time. At every step, Kejriwal and his folk were optimism personified, and the others were on the defensive. It is not always that an incumbent government shows as much vigour and vitality while seeking to retain power in an election.
The anti-CAA protests by Muslims in Delhi and elsewhere may or may not have helped the APP, but much credit need not be given to the protesters for boosting Kejriwal’s chances. Muslims always voted against the BJP, it being seen as a pro-Hindu party and one that has an openly stated “communal” agenda. A consolidation of the minority votes often also meant a consolidation of votes of the majority community. However, in Delhi polls this time, such a consolidation did not take place, if one goes by the general sentiments during the campaign period. The overwhelming mood was in favour of Kejriwal and his party – and this for the reason he, his government and the party did some really good work for the ordinary masses. The APP Government did provide better education and health facilities at subsidized or affordable rates. It also checked corruption.
Kejriwal’s overkill came in the form of free bus travel for the entire womenfolk in the capital – although not an appreciable way of using government funds. Good economics demands that nothing is on offer from the government for free. Funds are scarce and hence development on infra sectors is bound to suffer. Yet, the strategy helped Kejriwal win votes.
To say that the Congress helped in consolidation of anti-BJP votes in favour of the AAP and hence it lying low in the election scene is to seek anticipatory bail – from the ignominy of a defeat at the polls. The fact of the matter is the Congress party is not in a proper form – more so after the 2019 LS results and Rahul Gandhi’s escape act. With the Congress failing to perform its role as the principal Opposition, it will be advantage regional parties – as is now seen in Delhi and elsewhere too and recently in Maharashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand. This trend is bound to continue in other states as well.