However, Kejriwal’s actions as Delhi’s Chief Minister starkly contrasted with his earlier rhetoric. Arrested on corruption charges related to the alleged excise policy scam, he became the first CM to govern from jail without stepping down. This decision drew widespread criticism and highlighted a perceived hypocrisy, as noted by political opponents and commentators.
The irony of Kejriwal’s situation was further emphasized when Delhi’s electorate voted him out of office in the 2025 assembly elections, reflecting public disillusionment with his governance. His arrest in June 2024 and subsequent five-month jail term, detailed in a BBC report from September 13, 2024, marked a turbulent period in his career, with bail granted amidst ongoing legal battles.
Kejriwal’s shift from advocating clean politics to facing corruption allegations himself has become a focal point of political discourse, underscoring broader challenges of accountability and integrity within Indian politics. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has yet to comment on the long-term implications of this shift for its future direction.