Why AAP defeat in Delhi polls is a setback to Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar

While the AAP was never a major force to reckon with in terms of electoral base in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) held hope in Kejriwal. It had a presence as Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, and the AAP led by Arvind Kejriwal often came together through the INDIA bloc or otherwise to counter the BJP at the Centre and in the state.

AAP’s Maharashtra link

In many ways, Kejriwal’s connection with Maharashtra had its origins in the Indian Against Corruption crusade which gained momentum in 2011-12, and was led by social reformer Anna Hazare, a resident of Ralegaon in Pune district.

At the rally held in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, those who played significant roles in the fight against corruption and pressing for the Lokpal Bill included Arvind Kejriwal, Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan, Kiran Bedi, Medha Patkar, Swami Agnivesh, Col Devinder Sehrawat, Harsh Mandar et al. It was in April 2011 when Hazare went on a hunger strike demanding the Lokpal Bill.

Anna Hazare and Kejriwal, who shared the platform and a cause 14 years ago, are no longer on the same page. In fact, Hazare had given a clarion call to vote against the AAP in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections.

As the BJP marched to victory pulling a hat-rick post Haryana, Maharashtra, and now Delhi, Hazare minced no words to attack Kejriwal. Hazare said, “A leader should always be selfless and upright. If you want to elicit people’s support these are necessary qualities.”

Lending a helping hand

In Kejriwal, who after graduating from IIT Kharagpur joined the Indian Revenue Services and then took to politics, these regional parties saw a firm and committed leader who dared to speak against the BJP’s central leadership.

There are several instances where Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray have joined hands to help the AAP and vice versa in their political battle against the BJP.

When the BJP through its ‘Operation Lotus’ split the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party, AAP leaders both at the Centre and Maharashtra were at the forefront of attacking the saffron party.

When the Centre promulgated an ordinance to create an authority for the transfer and postings of Group A officers through legislation, Kejriwal visited Matoshree to meet Uddhav Thackeray to seek his support, and also met Pawar. He appealed to all non-BJP parties to come forward and protest against the legislation arguing it was undermining the roles of elected state government.

When Kejriwal was arrested, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) pledged support and participated in the protest rally held in Delhi. During the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly polls, Kejriwal participated in the INDIA bloc rally held at Shivaji Park and BKC, respectively, last year.

The Delhi Assembly results have upset the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP (SP) which believe Kejriwal had to fight a battle on many fronts against the BJP.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said, “The BJP seems to have replicated its Maharashtra pattern in the Delhi Assembly elections. From subjecting AAP leader Kejriwal to harassment through Central agencies, getting all their prominent party leaders arrested and imprisoned to the bogus voter list,” said Raut, adding the saffron party’s formula is to first finish the leader who dares to rise against Modi-Shah.

After the setback in the Maharashtra Assembly polls, regional parties were hoping the AAP would withstand the BJP. Unfortunately, that has not happened as Kejriwal’s party failed to retain power after 12 years of ruling in Delhi.

With local bodies elections, including those of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, scheduled to be held this year, Thackeray surely knows it’s not going to be easy. The BMC polls will in every sense be a do-or-die battle for Thackeray who is struggling to reaffirm his political leadership and identity of the party in Mumbai and Maharashtra.

Senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar said, “The BJP is on a victory spree. After the success in Haryana and Maharashtra, we have made it in Delhi. And this clearly is an indication that people have trust in the party and its leadership in Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. We will win Bihar Assembly polls too.”