By Indian opposition leader Arvind Kejriwal has announced his intention to resign as Chief Minister of Delhi following his recent release from prison on bail. The announcement comes a day after Kejriwal was granted bail by the Supreme Court of India, ending six months of detention linked to allegations of corruption involving Delhi’s liquor policy.
On Sunday, Kejriwal, who has been a vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a former anti-corruption activist, revealed his decision to step down in two days. He has called on the public to assess his integrity and decide whether he should continue in office. “Today I have come to ask the public whether you consider Kejriwal honest or a criminal… I will resign from the post of CM [chief minister] two days from today and ask people whether I am honest,” Kejriwal stated.
Kejriwal, 55, has led the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) since its inception and has served as Delhi’s Chief Minister since 2015. Under his leadership, the AAP has made significant political gains, though it remains smaller compared to more established opposition parties. His tenure has been marked by efforts to reform governance in Delhi, but it has also faced controversies, including the recent corruption case.
He was arrested in March by the Enforcement Directorate, India’s financial crime investigation agency, in connection with alleged irregularities in Delhi’s liquor policy. Although he was granted bail in July, he remained in detention due to a separate but related case involving the federal police. Kejriwal was eventually released on a bond of one million rupees ($11,920) with several conditions, including a ban on making public comments about the case, visiting his office, or signing official documents.
In his statement, Kejriwal emphasized that he would only return to his position if the public gave him a “certificate of honesty” through their votes. He has urged the Election Commission of India to advance the Delhi elections from February 2025 to November 2024 to facilitate this process.
The AAP, which is part of the broader opposition alliance known as INDIA, will hold a meeting to decide on Kejriwal’s successor. His resignation, if it proceeds as planned, will mark a significant shift in Delhi’s political landscape and could impact the dynamics of the upcoming elections. Kejriwal’s legal troubles have underscored the intense political and legal battles facing Indian opposition leaders as they navigate complex corruption charges and ongoing investigations.
