What bail for Arvind Kejriwal means for AAP and why this time things are different

Bail for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, while a big relief, comes at a time of turmoil for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). If Kejriwal walks out of Tihar Jail — sources in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said the agency would file a plea to stay the Rouse Avenue Court order on Friday — he has a multitude of issues to address.

The first, sources said, would be to assess the party’s standing in Delhi as well as Punjab after it managed to win just three seats in the latter in the Lok Sabha. In Delhi, where it contested in alliance with the Congress, the BJP won all seven seats. The AAP contested four constituencies and the Congress three.

“While discussions have taken place on the Lok Sabha loss, it is now important to focus on the next challenge, which is the Assembly elections, expected in the first half of February. This is not the first time that the AAP lost the Lok Sabha elections and won the Assembly polls by a landslide. It happened in 2014 and 2019. But ensuring a strong third term is the top priority for the party right now,” said an AAP insider.

Kejriwal also stares at mounting anti-incumbency, especially at a time when the water crisis in Delhi is at its peak. For the past three weeks, his party colleagues as well as the Opposition have spoken about how Delhi is not getting enough water to meet its needs. Tackling the political challenge posed by the shortage, which has been raised time and again over the past eight years, is crucial in the lead-up to elections next year.

“When he came out on interim bail to campaign for polls, the situation was different. There was a lot of enthusiasm ahead of the (Lok Sabha) polls, especially because of the alliance with the Congress. If he returns now, it will be in the midst