Five Facts About AAP Leader
Arvind Kejriwal: A Political Journey
Arvind Kejriwal, the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and former Chief Minister of Delhi, is gearing up to contest from the New Delhi constituency for the fourth time in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. His political journey is marked by ups and downs, victories and challenges.
Early Life and Career
Born in Hisar, Haryana, Arvind Kejriwal pursued mechanical engineering at IIT Kharagpur. He worked at Tata Steel before volunteering with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata. In 1995, he joined the Indian Revenue Service where he met his wife, Sunita Agarwal.
Political Activism and Foundation of AAP
In 1999, Kejriwal founded Parivartan, an organization focused on addressing citizens’ issues related to public works, food rations, and electricity. His work earned him the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2006. He resigned from the Indian Revenue Service and used the award money to establish the Public Cause Research Foundation. Kejriwal authored the book ‘Swaraj’ in 2012, advocating for a decentralized political system.
In 2011, he joined the India Against Corruption (IAC) movement led by Anna Hazare to push for the Jan Lokpal Bill. This marked the beginning of his political journey. Kejriwal went on to launch the Aam Aadmi Party on November 26, 2012, positioning it as a new alternative to mainstream politics. With the symbol of a broom, the party pledged to fight against corruption.
Political Success and Challenges
In the 2013 Delhi elections, AAP surprised many by winning 28 out of 70 seats, becoming the second-largest party. Kejriwal defeated three-time Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and formed a government with Congress’ support, despite criticizing them for corruption. However, his first term as Chief Minister lasted only 49 days as he resigned over the failure to pass the Delhi Jan Lokpal Bill.
In 2015, AAP achieved a historic victory, winning 67 out of 70 seats in the Delhi elections, and Kejriwal returned as Chief Minister. The party repeated its success in 2020, securing 62 seats. Beyond Delhi, AAP expanded its influence, winning Punjab in 2022.
Legal Troubles and Resignation
However, a month before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Kejriwal faced legal troubles. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over alleged corruption related to a 2021 Delhi government policy on liquor sales. The case involved accusations of favoritism, bribery, and kickbacks. Despite being granted bail by the Supreme Court, Kejriwal resigned as Chief Minister, paving the way for AAP leader Atishi to take over.
Kejriwal’s political journey has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by successes and challenges. As he gears up to contest in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, only time will tell what the future holds for this prominent political figure.