In Maharashtra and Jharkhand, the funds deposited monthly for women have significantly impacted electoral victories, attributed to the return of the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra and the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand. Political parties have now found a shortcut to victory. In an effort to charm female voters, the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi has announced a significant decision. The former Chief Minister of Delhi and National Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, Arvind Kejriwal, declared a monthly grant of 1000 rupees to women aged 18 and above under the Chief Minister Women's Honor Fund. On Thursday, the Delhi cabinet approved this proposal, which will now be sent to the Lieutenant Governor for final approval. Kejriwal has also stated that these funds could increase if his government is reelected. Before this move, his announcement of free electricity up to 200 units and free bus travel for women in DTC buses before the 2020 Assembly elections were highly effective. It remains to be seen whether the announcement of the Chief Minister Women's Honor Fund will yield similar results for women this time.
1- Delay in Punjab and BJP’s Campaign of Freebies
The Chief Minister's Women's Honor Scheme was initially announced during the budget presentation of the current financial year by Chief Minister Atishi. The government made this announcement on March 4 in the assembly, to which Arvind Kejriwal responded by stating it as a significant step towards empowering Delhi's women. The path is now clear for women to receive 12,000 rupees annually. Questions have arisen as to whether the implementation of the Women's Honor Scheme was deliberately delayed. The Delhi government has alleged that the BJP obstructs many of its developmental projects through the LG. How can the public believe that the BJP will allow its implementation if they form the new government? Questions will also arise about the delay in providing 1000 rupees monthly to women in Punjab. Additionally, in the Delhi Assembly elections, the BJP will certainly prepare a list of freebies. This time, Arvind Kejriwal will face several challenges in distributing these gifts during the elections.
2- Congress’ Emergence a Concern for Kejriwal
Underestimating the Congress is a mistake that any political party would regret in every election. This is as true for the opposing India alliance as it is for the NDA. Ignoring Congress in the Lok Sabha elections proved heavy for the BJP. Akhilesh Yadav faced consequences in the UP Assembly by-elections when isolating Congress. The same is likely to happen with the Aam Aadmi Party. After the Lok Sabha elections, Congress has been on an upswing, which cannot be denied. In Haryana, although the party lost, the vote percentage was less than a percent behind the BJP.
In Delhi, Kejriwal’s political success has so far relied on Muslim and migrant votes. If some of this shifts towards Congress, it could be detrimental for the Aam Aadmi Party. This is why Kejriwal is strategizing to gain support from Congress’s Muslim leaders. However, this move has triggered side effects, with disgruntled leaders moving towards Congress and Owaisi’s party. Meanwhile, AAP's Mehrauli MLA Naresh Yadav has been convicted in a case related to the disrespect of the Quran, sentenced to two years in jail, and facing no action from AAP so far. Congress will naturally make this a central issue.
Similarly, this time, the Dalit vote adds another layer of challenge for Kejriwal. Congress is poised to capture their Dalit vote bank while two major Dalit faces, Rajkumar Anand and Rajendra Pal Gautam, have left the party.
3- Battling Anti-incumbency is Not Easy
The Aam Aadmi Party’s current candidate selection indicates its struggle against anti-incumbency. Most tickets have been given to recent entrants into the party. Manish Sisodia, a prominent face of the party, has opted for the safer Jangpura seat over his Patparganj seat, implying a lack of confidence in the current legislators. This is indicative of having little to showcase in terms of achievements. The party is hesitant to contest elections in alliance with Congress due to the fear that BJP might seem like the only alternative to detractors of the government. By having Congress’s candidates, voters dissatisfied with the government will have two choices.
4- Illusions of Kejriwal’s Idealism Shattered by Scandals
A significant section of the population, not just in Delhi but across India, perceived Arvind Kejriwal as an epitome of idealism in politics. However, this image has been tarnished by corruption and the so-called palace built by the Chief Minister, termed as ‘Sheeshmahal’ in media. Swati Maliwal, an MP from Kejriwal’s party who once closely associated with him, has been running a formidable campaign against this backdrop, revealing party flaws to the public daily.
