Arvind Kejriwal released: Friday night, hours after the Supreme Court granted him temporary bail until June 1 about his purported involvement in the liquor policy case, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was freed from Tihar jail.
Two days before the results of the Lok Sabha elections of 2024 were supposed to be announced, on June 2, the highest court ordered Kejriwal to turn himself in.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, holds power in both Delhi and Punjab, two states where upcoming elections are slated. In the remaining phases, seven seats in Delhi and ten seats in Haryana are set to vote on May 25th, while the thirteen seats in Punjab will cast their votes on June 1st.
On March 21, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Kejriwal in connection with an alleged Delhi liquor excise policy scam.
“AAP’s Morale Boost”
Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently out on bail, will have plenty of time in the coming weeks to campaign for the seats in Delhi and Punjab. Together with the Congress party, the AAP is running for office in Delhi. As per the terms of the seat-sharing agreement, the AAP won four of the Delhi seats, and the Congress nominated candidates for the remaining three. The party is running 13 seats in Punjab by itself.
With Kejriwal’s release during the election season, AAP supporters are expected to be revitalized, and party workers will likely intensify their efforts during the campaign. Arvind Kejriwal not only serves as the face of AAP but also stands among opposition leaders of national significance.
“This marks the triumph of truth… I express gratitude to the Supreme Court for stepping in to safeguard the Constitution and democracy. Arvind Kejriwal is set to be released from Tihar Jail this evening, and I am confident that he will address the citizens of Delhi and the nation,” stated Atishi Marlena, a senior AAP leader and Delhi minister, to the news agency ANI.
Shortly after the release on Friday night, Kejriwal gave a speech to a group and revealed his plans for May 11.
The INDIA bloc applauds Kejriwal’s release
Leaders from various parties within the INDIA bloc, such as the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, have embraced the release. Congress leader Pawan Khera stated, “We appreciate the Supreme Court’s intervention in granting interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal.” He further expressed his wish fordue justice for Hemant Soren, the former Chief Minister of Jharkhand.
Kejriwal is one of the two opposition chief ministers who found themselves in jail during the election season. While Soren resigned before his arrest, Kejriwal chose not to. Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed her approval of the decision.
As AAP’s foremost campaigner, Kejriwal will take the helm directly in leading the campaign in Delhi and Punjab, where his party holds power. -Arvind Kejriwal released
Arvind Kejriwal, an impact player
Analysts suggest that considering Arvind Kejriwal’s campaigning approach, he could pose a significant challenge to the BJP in the Lok Sabha contest, particularly in Delhi.
“Kejriwal’s choice of idioms during his campaigns will be closely watched, but as a leader, he possesses the capability to significantly challenge the BJP in Delhi,” remarked Rahul Verma, a political analyst and fellow at the Centre for Policy Research (CPR).
One of the conditions of Kejriwal’s bail is that he refrains from discussing the Delhi liquor policy case or the allegations against him while he is out.
Observers claim that the AAP has gained some sympathy for itself by bringing up Arvind Kejriwal’s detention during its electoral campaign thus far. And with just 21 days left to campaign before he must turn himself in again on June 2, Arvind Kejriwal may as well be the “impact player” following his release on temporary bail, which came days before Lok Sabha elections in Delhi and Punjab.
During the current Indian Premier League (IPL) season, an impact player permits one substitute player per side to participate actively in matches with the bat or the ball. Arvind Kejriwal equal to impact player
Delhi Election Pattern
Examining the last two Lok Sabha elections, Delhi has exhibited a split voting pattern. Despite supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the general elections of 2014 and 2019, the same electorate has consistently chosen the AAP in assembly elections since 2015.
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All seven of Delhi’s seats were won by the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections. In Punjab, the 2019 general elections saw the Congress win eight seats, the Akali Dal win two, the BJP win two, and the AAP win just one.
Punjab and Delhi are essential to the INDIA bloc. Twenty MPs of the Lok Sabha were sent by these two states. Kejriwal’s release must occur in time for the elections in both states while he is out on bail. It will undoubtedly affect the elections, a party leader who wished to remain anonymous stated.