Kejriwal Foresees Political Shift, Opposition Unites in Criticism
A significant political gathering in New Delhi witnessed sharp attacks on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal making a bold prediction about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure. Speaking at the launch of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut's book 'Unlikely Paradise', Kejriwal asserted that Modi might not remain Prime Minister beyond 2026, signaling a potential end to the current political era.
Kejriwal's Assertions on Modi's Future and Electoral Integrity
Kejriwal elaborated on his forecast, stating, "PM Narendra Modi might not be the Prime Minister by the end of 2026. He and Amit Shah are about to go, and their rule is about to end..." He attributed this belief to his "heart and political understanding," emphasizing a perceived decline in Modi's popularity, particularly evident on social media platforms where criticism has become more prevalent.
Targeting the electoral process, Kejriwal alleged that elections are being "won through corruption." He shared a personal anecdote, claiming that after his release from imprisonment, approximately 42,000 votes were deleted from his tally, leading to a narrow defeat margin of about 3,000 votes in a recent contest. He contrasted this with a previous victory by 30,000 votes, accusing the ruling party of "cheating to win elections."
Opposition Leaders Echo Concerns Over Institutions
The event, held at Mavalankar Hall in the Constitution Club of India, saw several opposition leaders joining in the critique. Kejriwal directly implicated the Election Commission (EC), questioning, "Modi's popularity is declining, but he is still winning elections. Who is responsible for it? It's the EC." He urged attendees to read Raut's book, alleging that the Modi government shelters dishonest individuals while jailing honest ones.
Other prominent figures voiced similar grievances:
- Derek O'Brien (TMC): Predicted that voters in West Bengal would "humiliate Modi and Shah" on May 4 and highlighted an upcoming electoral challenge in Uttar Pradesh by February 2027. He claimed his party prevented electoral "jugglery" by the EC in Bengal.
- Digvijaya Singh (Congress): Described the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and EC as "two faces of the same coin," suggesting that electoral reforms like machine-readable voter lists and ballot-based voting could prevent BJP victories.
- Sanjay Singh (AAP): Noted that no money was found at Kejriwal's residence during investigations, calling it a "slap on the face of the government."
- Kapil Sibal: Criticized the ED for violating laws and disregarding human rights.
Sanjay Raut's Book and Broader Criticisms
Sanjay Raut, whose book details his jail experiences, hinted at future accountability, saying, "We will wait, and those who are responsible for this will also be sent there (jail) someday." His colleague Arvind Sawant defended him, praising Raut as a "sher" (lion) and condemning the treatment he faced as oppressive.
Raut also addressed international affairs, criticizing the Centre's silence on the escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict. He questioned India's role, stating, "No one can say what India's role is... Prime Minister Modi has not expressed his opinion on this war. What is the fear?" This added a layer of foreign policy critique to the domestic political discourse.
O'Brien further alleged that individuals facing legal troubles avoided jail by joining the BJP, claiming to meet "15-20 people in Parliament every day" who fit this description. The collective opposition narrative painted a picture of institutional misuse and electoral malpractice, setting the stage for intensified political confrontations in the coming years.
