Delhi's Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, has set a controversial precedent that a CM can still run the government even when arrested on corruption charges. Kejriwal has indeed lived up to his words, reportedly issuing two orders from judicial custody. The main opposition in Delhi, the BJP, has protested this move, and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated an investigation into how Kejriwal has been communicating orders without access to paper, pen, or a computer. Only time will tell how long Kejriwal can govern from behind bars, but he surely has posed questions only he can answer to the nation.
1- If he can remain in power, why then were Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain forced to resign?
Kejriwal believes he can run the government from jail, but didn't extend the same plan to his team when they were imprisoned. What could be better than facilitating meetings and discussions from within jail walls? Kejriwal should have reintegrated his imprisoned colleagues into the cabinet. Taking legal steps for their oath-taking, even if bail isn't granted, is something the courts could at least accommodate.
2- If Lalu and Hemant Soren could transfer their seats, what is Kejriwal afraid of?
Before Kejriwal, examples were set by former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Yadav and Jharkhand's Hemant Soren. Kejriwal could have opted for Lalu's 'Rabri model' or Soren's 'Manjhi model'. It seems he's weighing which model suits him best, as it's not about 'if' but 'when' he will have to make a decision akin to Lalu's or Hemant Soren's.
3- What fears hold Kejriwal back from appointing his wife, Sunita, as CM?
Could the portrayals of female chief ministers, like Huma Qureshi's character in the series 'Maharani' or Swati Singh's real-life ascent in Uttar Pradesh, unnerve Kejriwal? Both stories feature women who outshine their husbands politically after assuming power. Sunita Kejriwal's credentials as a former IRS officer are impeccable, and she might excel as Delhi's CM, possibly outperforming Kejriwal himself, who has never quite transcended his activist roots. Perhaps it's Kejriwal's male ego that fears the potential success of his wife in the role.
4- Are other AAP leaders not worthy of trust?
Kejriwal's reluctance to resign also suggests a lack of trust in his AAP colleagues. This trust deficit has seen prominent figures like Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav leave the party. Are fears that leaders like Atishi or Saurabh Bharadwaj might sideline him in the future holding Kejriwal back? History shows that political loyalty is often fleeting. Kejriwal might be justified in his hesitation.
5- Has the strategy of retaining the CM role without a portfolio backfired?
CMs typically keep important departments under their direct control, but Kejriwal distributed key portfolios among close allies. It's rumored this was to avoid legal entanglements. However, this strategy didn't protect him from being caught in the legal web of the liquor scandal.
