Explained: Attacks On Atishi, Governance Lapses And Arvind Kejriwal's Mass Appeal — A Battle For Delhi's Leadership

How will BJP confront the AAP and its leader Arvind Kejriwal in the upcoming Delhi Assembly Election after the Chief Minister quit vowing to go to the masses and seek their verdict? It has been the main political strategy of the saffron party to put him in the dock on the issue of corruption and show to the masses that AAP’s claim of corruption-free governance is a sham and hollow. It lapped up the Delhi liquor policy and the controversy surrounding it, the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI under the BJP government investigated the case and the Delhi Chief Minister was put behind bars. He languished in Tihar Jail for months before the Supreme Court granted him bail under certain conditions.

Importance Of Being Arvind Kejriwal

However, the civil servant-turned-politician took away the wind out of the BJP’s sail by resigning and declaring that he would return to his office only after the masses gave the verdict in his favour. Though the BJP has called the entire development in the change of government in Delhi as yet another ‘political stunt’, the saffron party itself was caught napping and was stunned. 

No Stunt, Arvind Kejriwal Quits

After being shocked and stunned for some time, the BJP lost no time and started hitting Arvind Kejriwal. When the AAP held a meeting of its Political Affairs Committee and the Delhi CM proposed the name of his successor in the meeting of the legislature party, it was clear that it was not a political stunt. The saffron party began attacking Atishi Marlena immediately after she was nominated as the next chief minister of the city-state.

Will BJP Change Poll Strategy?

Political observers believe the BJP may adopt a two-pronged strategy for its campaign plan for the Delhi Assembly Election. It may focus on the flaws in the governance and attack the AAP government for its alleged failure to deliver what it promised. It may also try to target the AAP by proving that its freebies like free electricity up to 200 units are wrong as it increased the burden on the exchequer. Similarly, it can also attack the government on the issue of free water supply and the alleged irregularities associated with it.

Will BJP Resort To Hindutva?

The analysts believe if the BJP loses steam and finds itself lagging in the campaign, it may pick up its favourite Hindutva plank. Leaders like Kapil Mishra, and Parvesh Singh Verma may be pitched in to attack the AAP.

Will BJP Not Focus On Delhi Liquor Scam?

Political observers think the saffron party may not focus on the Delhi liquor scam case anymore as it may backfire. The saffron party will not leave the issue either, it will keep on raising the issue, accusing Arvind Kejriwal of being involved in the Delhi liquor scam, but it will not stretch the issue beyond a certain limit.

Atishi To Be On BJP’s Target

The BJP will now pay attention to Atishi instead. It will target the Oxford University-educated Chief Minister on her governance and target her for lapses in the department she has been controlling so far. As Atishi was given the responsibilities of more than 13 ministries, the BJP may find many lacunae and hit hard at her.

Will Ghost of Afzal Guru Haunt Atishi?

Atishi Marlena came under attack before she was sworn in as Delhi Chief Minister from an unexpected quarter. AAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal attacked Atishi and said her parents defended Afzal Guru and protested against his execution.

Guru was convicted for the attack on the Indian Parliament in 2001 and he was hanged in 2013. A mercy petition was sent to the president in this case, the former chief of the Delhi Commission for Women said Atishi’s parents were one of those who signed the petition. The BJP is sure to pick up this issue and hit Arishi Marlena hard. The saffron party may choose many more issues to target Atishi, Arvind Kejriwal, and the AAP. The rhetoric is most likely to get shriller as the Delhi Assembly Elections come closer