AAP's defeat, showing 'doors' to Kejriwal and end of 'high command's lifeline support' for Biren Singh in Manipur show DEMOCRACY may still triumph

"In last week’s referendum, if there is one person who has lost completely, it is Arvind Kejriwal. What he has proved is that he is just like other politicians. And no symbol of hope, a new political culture or a new dream," writes columnist Tavleen Singh for 'Indian Express'.  

The humiliating 'good bye' message from the people of Delh to Arvind Kejriwal - who took the Jugadu city for granted shows - politically the citizens should never be underestimated. 

They know how to vote and when to 'vote out' an arrogant leader !  The utter rejection of a brand of politics where he misused and abused the 'good will' generated by the Lokpal Bill stir is a lesson in Democracy. 

I am writing this piece also 'comparing' with the outcome of political upheavals in Manipur vis-a-vis the resignation of the Chief Minister N Biren Singh. 

If BJP's central leadership decided not to 'extend' the lifeline support for the beleaguered Chief Minister any longer; the move has to be appreciated. We may give credit to Amit Shah for the belated decision or even to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for finally saying 'enough is enough'. 

In January 2025 within a few days of my visit to Manipur state - I could write a piece entitled:

"Manipur's season of woes cannot end easily ... Over to Kangaroo courts and 'business monopoly' of militant organisation(s)"

Blogger 

A few essential questions were raised :

 Where is the writ of the Government ?

One may start stating Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh could not perhaps emerge as the 'messiah' of the Meiteis even as he has been a populist leader.  

Biren Singh fiddled with power. But last few months - social workers and others in the state capital and in Kuki-stronghold Churachandpur feel his focus is not the governance nor the state. He is more into contemplating or analysing things happening around him - whether he would be disturbed or replaced or he would survive and will be allowed to continue in office by New Delhi.

(Read the previous blog:

 Link

Now coming to Delhi politics and the ouster of the AAP, there are certain issues those need to be reflected upon. 

In 2015 after the AAP won 67 seats leaving Narendra Modi and his chief  election strategist Amit Shah shell-shocked, it took more than 36 hours for a hard nut like Narendra Modi to get back his equanimity.

For almost two days the Prime Minister had practically vanished from social networking. There is no denying that the Delhi 2015 verdict left a shocker for him more than to the BJP.

2015 reportage for 'The Statesman' 

For all political sense -- "knives were out" 

In 2019 again the BJP lost. It was a different India and a different 'national capital' those days because only a few months back -- the nation had reposed faith in the BJP and the leadership of Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha polls.  For his part, Kejrwal still thought - he was big enough and could still hold the city in his grip ... like his party AAP already was. 

He even said "Delhi ka malik hum haen" and that the BJP will never be able to defeat him ! 

In 2024 - he was arrested. But there was no sympathy for him in Lok Sabha polls.   

Analyst Tavleen Singh wrote after AAP defeat on Feb 9th, 2025

"In Delhi what we saw last week was not so much an election as a referendum on Arvind Kejriwal. It was not the Aam Aadmi Party that lost. He did because he had turned the political party he started into a personal appendage. 

And projected himself as a new kind of political leader who could save India from a cynical and corrupt political culture. This is probably why, when he last won Delhi with himself as a symbol of hope, he won nearly every seat in the assembly. 

He began to betray this hope almost immediately after."  (Indian Express) 

In 2015 - we must note: 

The Aam Admi Party (AAP)  -- Common People's Party - victory in Delhi actually demonstrated the "victory of the civil society" or a pressure group in taking up roles of governance. 

Historically, this was not new. In the northeast, Assam had witnessed the emergence of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the landslide victory in 1986. 

Youth organizations in other northeastern states like Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram are not only influential, they also command tremendous respect. Young Mizo Association is one such body.  

Certainly the rise of the middle class is a big factor in all these -- Assam of 1986, Delhi of 2015 and 2020 and also 2025 and even the Manipur development vis-a-vis the resignation of the Chief Minister.  

But there are wheels within wheels. There was an anti-Modi club playing the game so aggressively naked. I know of editors (you may read jokers) jumping around the halls the moment Arvind Kejriwal tweeted. 

In one of the Noida offices -- the oldie would jump around. The man with a permanent inferiority complex would even compare Kejriwal's Independence Day speech with what was being stated by a 'lesser mortal' Modi from the ramparts of Red Fort. 

On this back drop I am glad, Tavleen Singh also points out in her article that: "....the western media gave him (Kejriwal) publicity that was truly undeserved". 

Here actually the great Sickularism gang was playing the gang. Somehow create a paper-tiger who could perhaps challenge the phenomenon of Moditva.

2013 

Back to Manipur and it is worth pointing out that ... according a retired Kuki police officer in Churachandpur, the Chief Minister himself could be 'responsible' for most of what has gone wrong for him. In Imphal the dominant Meiteis seemed to 'have reconciled' that Biren Singh is here to stay. 

And hence they also feel -- two major issues are matters of deep concern. 

One is - kick-starting the fashion of setting up of 'Kangaroo courts' and dispensing justice in own style and not following the standard jurisprudence.  Recently an allegedly rape victim did not go to Biren Singh's police force.

In a statement, the Koireng-faction of United National Liberation Front (UNLF) said the punishment was handed out to Khaidem Nongdam Khanganba, 30, of Imphal West district following its investigation. (as reported in 'Hindustan Times')

The 'banned militant group' on Jan 14 (Monday) said that it shot a 30-year-old man in his leg to punish him for rape of a 28-year-old woman in an Imphal hotel on January 10.

The rape survivor was staying alone in Hotel Imphal after returning to the state from Delhi.

The statement said Khanganba, who was in the hotel to celebrate a birthday, impersonated a hotel staffer to enter her room and then refused to leave. He ordered alcohol and pressured her to drink. When she refused, Khanganba is alleged to have assaulted her before raping her.

This maybe one of a kind 'happening'; but in the past too the muscle-flexing by the organisations have been reported. 

In a move rife with symbolism, all the Meitei legislators from Manipur – 37 MLAs and two Members of Parliament, across party lines – were “summoned” by the Arambai Tenggol in 2024. 

The Democracy should enjoy the moments when such leaders are shown their place !!

ends