Arvind Kejriwal: A Decade Of Triumphs and Turbulence

Arvind Kejriwal, the charismatic face of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has been at the helm of Delhi's government for over a decade. Under his leadership, Delhi has seen transformative changes, particularly in sectors like education, healthcare, and welfare.

His governance model, often dubbed the 'Kejriwal Model,' promised accessible services for the common man.

However, despite these notable achievements, Kejriwal's tenure has been marked by controversies, governance challenges, and political hurdles. As the 2025 Assembly elections approach, his decade-long rule faces its toughest test yet.

Major Achievements of Kejriwal's Tenure

1. Education Reform

One of Kejriwal's biggest successes has been in the education sector. Delhi government schools underwent a massive overhaul, with infrastructure upgrades and better resources. The introduction of innovative curriculums like the "Happiness Curriculum" and "Deshbhakti Curriculum" aimed at fostering emotional intelligence and patriotism in students. These efforts have paid off, with Delhi's government schools consistently outperforming private ones in CBSE exams, making the city's education system a model for the rest of India.

2. Healthcare Transformation

Kejriwal's government made healthcare more accessible with the introduction of "Mohalla Clinics", which offered free primary healthcare services, particularly benefiting low-income families. Along with this, there was a focus on modernising hospital infrastructure, expanding healthcare capacity, and improving service delivery.

3. Welfare Schemes

Kejriwal's government rolled out several welfare schemes that benefited Delhi's residents. These included free power for households consuming up to 200 units of electricity, subsidies for those consuming more, and subsidised water schemes to ensure affordability. One of the more progressive initiatives was the introduction of "free bus rides for women", aimed at ensuring safer travel and empowering women.

4. Public Transport Expansion

Under Kejriwal's leadership, the Delhi Metro network expanded significantly, with new lines and stations. This development, achieved in partnership with the central government, boosted the city's public transport system. Additionally, Kejriwal's administration promoted cleaner transportation options, including electric buses and vehicles, to curb pollution.

5. Pollution Control Efforts

Kejriwal introduced the "Odd-Even Scheme", which aimed to reduce vehicular emissions during periods of high pollution. Though the initiative garnered attention, Delhi's air quality continued to be a major concern. The government also launched "smog towers" to address the city's hazardous air, but their impact has been limited.

A Tenure Full of Controversies

While Kejriwal's governance has been marked by several successes, his tenure has not been without controversy.

1. Corruption Allegations

AAP's anti-corruption image was tarnished when allegations surfaced about irregularities in the Delhi liquor excise policy. Senior party leaders, including Manish Sisodia, were arrested in connection with the case. Kejriwal himself faced criticism for spending ₹45 crore to renovate his official residence, an act that contradicted his "common man" image.

2. Conflict with the Centre

Throughout his tenure, Kejriwal had frequent clashes with the central government and the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. Issues such as control over the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and law enforcement powers created a constant tug-of-war, with the AAP accusing the Centre of hindering its policies.

3. COVID-19 Response

Kejriwal's government was lauded for setting up COVID care centres during the pandemic, but the administration faced sharp criticism during the second wave, particularly over the oxygen shortage crisis. This exposed the gaps in the city's healthcare system and challenged Kejriwal's leadership during a national emergency.

4. Environmental Issues

Despite Kejriwal's pollution control measures, including the Odd-Even Scheme and the installation of smog towers, Delhi's air quality remains among the worst globally, casting doubt on the efficacy of his environmental policies.

5. Internal Party Rifts

The expulsion of key founding members like Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav from AAP revealed significant internal conflicts within the party. These events highlighted the dissatisfaction with Kejriwal's leadership style, raising questions about the centralisation of power within the party.

Challenges for Kejriwal and AAP

As Kejriwal approaches his third term in office, he faces growing challenges:

1. Anti-Incumbency

After a decade in power, there is a growing sense of voter fatigue, with increasing calls for leadership renewal. Many believe that after ten years, AAP needs a fresh face to take the city forward.

2. Over-Reliance on Kejriwal

Critics argue that AAP has become too dependent on Kejriwal's personal charisma and leadership. The party's lack of a strong second line of leadership raises concerns about its ability to sustain its position once Kejriwal steps down or faces a setback.

3. Pollution Crisis

The pollution crisis remains a persistent issue in Delhi. Despite multiple initiatives aimed at improving air quality, Delhi continues to rank among the most polluted cities in the world, raising doubts about the long-term effectiveness of Kejriwal's policies.

4. Fiscal Sustainability

While Kejriwal's welfare schemes have earned him widespread support, concerns have emerged about the financial sustainability of such initiatives. Free electricity, water, and transport schemes have raised questions about Delhi's long-term fiscal health and ability to fund these services.

What Next for Kejriwal?

Kejriwal's decade-long leadership has undeniably brought transformative changes to Delhi, especially in education, healthcare, and welfare.

However, the growing controversies and challenges, both political and financial, loom large as the 2025 Assembly elections approach. As AAP faces rising opposition and growing anti-incumbency sentiment, the future of the 'Kejriwal Model' hangs in the balance.

Will Kejriwal manage to retain his popularity, or will the weight of his controversies and governance challenges lead to cracks in his leadership? Only time will tell.