Kejriwal’s Strategy: Deflection or Political Genius?
The “Poisoned Yamuna” Allegation – A Political Move?
Kejriwal’s Yamuna Claim
- With corruption being the biggest attack against him,Kejriwal’s Yamuna Claim
had to shift the narrative before the elections. - On January 29, a week before voting, Kejriwal’s Yamuna Claim
- He accused the BJP-led Haryana government of poisoning the Yamuna water that Delhi residents consume.
- He said many lives could have been lost if the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) had not acted in time.
Kejriwal’s Rise and Early Politics
2013 Elections:
- Arvind Kejriwal rose to power on an anti-corruption wave, ending Congress’s 15-year rule in Delhi.
- He defeated then-Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit in the New Delhi constituency.
- However, AAP fell short of a majority and formed a government with Congress’s support (despite accusing them of corruption).
2015 & 2020 Elections:
- After resigning in 48 days, Kejriwal asked for a full majority in 2015—and won 67 out of 70 seats.
- Congress failed to win even one seat in both 2015 and 2020 elections.
- BJP, which came close to a majority in 2013, struggled with only 3 seats in 2015 and 7 in 2020.
Corruption Allegations and Image Crisis
- For years, Kejriwal was seen as “incorruptible.” Even his critics acknowledged that he provided clean governance in Delhi.
- 2025 Election Challenge:
- His anti-corruption image has been damaged.
- Top AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, were jailed in the alleged Delhi Excise Scam.
- Kejriwal is out on bail under strict conditions, making it difficult for him to return as Chief Minister.
- His lavish bungalow renovation, costing ₹33 crore, further hurt his credibility.
- BJP attacked him, using these issues to brand him as corrupt and power-hungry.
Immediate Reactions:
- Election Commission of India (ECI) demanded proof and warned Kejriwal of legal action
- PM Modi responded, asking:
“Can anyone believe that BJP’s Haryana government would poison water to kill Modi himself?”
- Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini publicly drank Yamuna water to prove it was safe
- Congress also attacked Kejriwal, while the ECI issued him a formal notice.
- Kejriwal later clarified that “poison” meant high ammonia levels in the water.
Did Kejriwal Successfully Change the Narrative?
- As Delhi votes today, corruption is no longer the primary issue.
- Freebies and Yamuna water have dominated the campaign.
- BJP is now on the defensive instead of keeping the focus on Kejriwal’s alleged scams.
- Was this a desperate move or a masterstroke to outmanoeuvre the BJP once again?
- This article initially published in News9live
