Arvind Kejriwal’s political entry and survival depends on him being viewed as anti-establishment. Which is why he tweets constantly and furiously against Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi and other investigative agencies like the CBI and the ACB. His aim is to be seen as a prime challenger to Prime Minister Modi. If not electorally, at least in the media and public mind space. In fact, his successful occupation of that slot has made even the principal opposition Congress look inefficient.

This dogged anti-establishment stance has, however, also resulted in Arvind Kejriwal’s political isolation. Consider the fact that not one opposition party, not even Nitish or Lalu, with whom he’s shared the stage in the run up to the Bihar elections, have spoken out against the serial arrests of AAP MLAs.

Arvind Kejriwal’s history as a ‘shoot and scoot’ anti-corruption activist and unpredictability make him a dangerous political ally. Even before India Against Corruption took on a political form, it was accused, by both the BJP and Congress of being each other’s B-team. If one were to consider future alliances, the Aam Aadmi Party is unlikely to find a spot with Sonia, Nitish, Jayalalithaa, Mulayam or Mayawati.

In that sense, the Aam Aadmi Party is an political island unto itself. And at a time the party’s looking to expand its footprint in Punjab, Goa and Gujarat, it needs to stay relevant, it needs to stay in the news.



What’s bound to get you more attention that claiming a sitting Prime Minister could kill you and your party men?