Why BJP and Congress Gave Kejriwal a Free Pass in Delhi?

“Aakhir Tak – In Shorts”

1. Weeks before Delhi’s Assembly polls, Kejriwal faces no serious political challenge.
2. The BJP and Congress have failed to produce credible leadership to oppose Kejriwal.
3. AAP continues to thrive due to BJP and Congress’ lack of a strong local presence in Delhi.
4. Kejriwal capitalizes on BJP’s leadership vacuum by highlighting Ramesh Biduri as its CM face.
5. Congress’ Sandeep Dikshit has also come late to the fight, lacking momentum.

“Aakhir Tak – In Depth”

BJP and Congress’ Failure in Delhi Despite over a decade since Arvind Kejriwal’s rise in Delhi politics, both BJP and Congress continue to struggle in producing a local leader capable of challenging the AAP convener. The BJP made a last-ditch attempt in 2015 by fielding former IPS officer Kiran Bedi as their CM face. However, this was too little, too late. Bedi had been part of the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare but disagreed with Kejriwal when he decided to form AAP. Her entry into electoral politics was anything but seamless and left BJP without a viable long-term leadership strategy.

Congress Struggles to Regain Ground Similarly, Congress is struggling under the leadership of Sandeep Dikshit, son of the late Sheila Dikshit, a former three-term Delhi CM. While Dikshit has been running an active campaign, he is seen as disconnected from the evolving Delhi political scene. Sheila Dikshit’s legacy looms large, yet the Congress cannot harness her memory to combat AAP’s contemporary dominance.

Political Vacuum in Delhi The root of BJP and Congress’ problem lies in their failure to cultivate leaders who resonate with the people of Delhi. Unlike AAP, which developed local faces like Atishi Singh and Raghav Chadha, both BJP and Congress have not produced strong, relatable leadership. BJP in particular suffers from the revolving-door syndrome, which has led to a constant turnover of leaders without nurturing future candidates who could lead Delhi with a vision.

Kejriwal’s Dominance Amidst Absence of Competition Kejriwal, therefore, finds himself in a comfortable position, virtually facing no serious contenders. His strategy has been focused on ensuring that the BJP’s leadership weakness is front and center for the voters. By promoting leaders like Ramesh Biduri as the face of BJP, Kejriwal cleverly showcased BJP’s lack of viable local options. Even with anti-incumbency factors working against him, Kejriwal’s public perception has remained strong due to his efficient governance and populist policies.

“Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

• BJP and Congress have failed to bring forward credible leaders to challenge Kejriwal.
• Despite efforts, both parties lack a strong Delhi-centric leadership.
• Kejriwal continues to dominate Delhi politics, with AAP benefiting from the leadership vacuum.
• Sandeep Dikshit and other opposition leaders are too late to make a meaningful impact.
• Kejriwal capitalizes on the failures of BJP and Congress, maintaining his hold over Delhi.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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