Script or Supreme Court? What led to Arvind Kejriwal's resignation?

Kejriwal remained CM for 177 days while being in jail, so why step down now? Experts believe that the resignation might be linked to the conditions imposed by the Supreme Court while granting bail.

Edited By: Mayank Kasyap

Last Updated : 15 September 2024, 03:43 PM IST

Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal to resign from his CM post in next two days. (ANI)

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made a surprising announcement on Sunday, declaring his intention to resign from the post of CM in two days. This comes just after he was granted bail by the Supreme Court in connection with the alleged Delhi liquor scam. Kejriwal made the declaration while addressing party workers at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) headquarters. His resignation has raised questions, with many speculating on what led to such a major decision.

Kejriwal remained CM for 177 days while being in jail, so why step down now? Experts believe that the resignation might be linked to the conditions imposed by the Supreme Court while granting bail.

Supreme Court bail conditions

On Friday, the Supreme Court granted Kejriwal bail in the Delhi liquor scam case. The bail came with several strict conditions, which may have influenced Kejriwal's decision to resign. A bench of Justices Suryakant and Ujjwal Bhuinya granted him conditional bail, making it clear that the CM couldn't take significant actions upon his release.

Among the conditions, the court ordered Kejriwal to:

Deposit a bail amount of Rs 10 lakh.
Refrain from commenting publicly on the merits of the case.
Not visit the Chief Minister’s Office or the Delhi Secretariat.
Avoid signing government files unless necessary for approval by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.
Stay away from witnesses involved in the case.

Experts suggest that these restrictions have left Kejriwal with little room to carry out his duties effectively, leading to his decision to step down.

Resignation amid political pressure

Kejriwal's resignation is also seen as a response to mounting pressure from the opposition, particularly the BJP. Throughout his time in jail, opposition leaders questioned why he hadn't resigned. Addressing this, Kejriwal stated, "When I was in jail, the BJP people asked why I haven’t resigned. They filed cases against all the opposition leaders. Today I come to the people’s court and ask: Do you consider Kejriwal honest or guilty?"

He further declared, "In two days, I will resign from the CM post. I won’t sit in that chair until the public gives its verdict." He emphasized that his decision to step down was a moral one, responding to allegations against him and his party.

Draws parallel to Lord Ram

In a dramatic turn, Kejriwal has called for early elections in Delhi, suggesting they be held in November, alongside the Maharashtra elections, instead of February. He drew a parallel to Lord Ram’s exile, stating, "Just like Lord Ram had to undergo a trial by fire upon his return, I will face my own trial after coming out of jail."

He vowed to stay away from power until the people of Delhi give their verdict. Until then, someone else from AAP will assume the CM position in his place. The decision to resign and call for early elections is viewed as a strategic move, potentially benefiting AAP in the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections.

What did Kejriwal say after his release?

After being released from Tihar Jail, Kejriwal made a defiant speech. "I’ve faced many struggles in life, but God has supported me because I’m honest," he said. He also noted that the BJP's efforts to weaken him had backfired. "These prison bars cannot break my courage. My strength has increased 100 times since my release."

Kejriwal pledged to continue serving the nation and to fight against forces that, in his view, aim to divide and weaken the country.

How will Arvind Kejriwal tread further?

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 in the alleged liquor scam. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he was granted bail on May 10, only to surrender again on June 2. His decision to resign, influenced by the Supreme Court's ruling and political pressures, marks a pivotal moment in his political journey. The upcoming elections will determine whether his party's strategy pays off and whether his resignation will garner public support.

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Script or Supreme Court? What led to Arvind Kejriwal's resignation?