NEW DELHI: The Delhi government vs Delhi police face-off borders on the bizarre. Arvind Kejriwal is playing two diametrically opposite roles simultaneously – chief minister and leader of the opposition. With tension between AAP and the Congress escalating, Kejriwal might be looking to exit in what AAP would project as a 'blaze of glory' while taking on a 'corrupt and compromised system'.

There appears to be a larger strategy at play here – one aimed at general elections. But there are risks attached to it. The educated middle class is showing signs of being disillusioned with AAP; although it isn't overly fond of the police and would like to see a clean-up, the party's populist, confrontationist politics – particularly the actions of its ministers – has struck a discordant note.

AAP seems to be directing its appeal more at the 'underclass'. It may end up losing more than it gains. The educated middle class has the potential of being a pan-Indian vote bank; it may be more difficult to consolidate the 'underclass' vote because of considerations such as caste and community.

