How Kejriwal stepping down as CM is significant amid the fallout of graft charges

It was important for Kejriwal to not resign while in jail, to send out the message that he would continue to fight, said the party leader. “When he did not resign after going to jail, it was a political decision, because that (Kejriwal’s resignation) was the objective behind sending him to prison. That is what the BJP-led Centre wanted. Kejriwal waited to get bail and be released to announce his resignation on his own. This is not Arvind Kejriwal the CM or politician taking the decision, but Arvind Kejriwal as a person. It is a political gamble, but, at its core, it is more a personal than political decision, taken on his own terms,” the leader added.

For much the same reasons, Kejriwal is also learnt to be keen to vacate his Civil Lines official residence, which has been under the scanner over its renovation, with the BJP alleging irregularities and “excessive expenditure”. An enquiry into the allegations of rules being flouted is underway, and three engineers have been suspended so far.

A section of the party, however, is worried over the confusion in the AAP’s ranks as many sought to understand why Kejriwal was pushing for early polls while also announcing that a new CM would be appointed soon.

Asked about this seeming contradiction, a senior AAP leader said: “What we want is early elections, but that is not entirely in our hands. We don’t want the people to suffer or work to stop, so the AAP government will remain. The reason behind Kejriwal ji’s and Manish Sisodia’s reluctance (to return to the posts of CM and Deputy CM, respectively) is that they want the people of Delhi to show faith in them once more and get rid of the tag of being corrupt.”

“When the elections will happen in Delhi is up to the Election Commission of India, it is not in our hands. In the last six months of the tenure of a Legislative Assembly, elections can be held whenever deemed necessary by the ECI. From the AAP’s point of view, the ball is now in the ECI’s court,” another party leader said.

“Most MLAs were not informed of the decision ahead of time. Till now, during the door-to-door campaign, they have been seeking votes for CM Kejriwal. The messaging will have to change now, especially if there is a new CM,” said a party source.

Party leaders said the idea was first discussed on Friday, after Kejriwal was released on bail, and further discussions were held on Saturday.

“The AAP’s senior leadership was told about Arvind ji’s decision to announce his resignation, late on Saturday night at Sanjay Singh’s residence… Though there was talk about this possibility from the moment that he was released from Tihar Jail on Friday, only Manish ji (Sisodia) knew that this was in the offing,” a senior AAP leader said.

On the possibility of early elections, a senior official said the preparation of electoral rolls was underway, with the final update set for January.

AAP leaders, however, said that since the rolls were updated in April-May for the Lok Sabha polls, the exercise could be hastened.

Meanwhile, asked about the “two days” time frame set by Kejriwal for his resignation, AAP Minister Atishi explained that since it’s Sunday today, and Eid tomorrow, “he will resign on the next working day, that is Tuesday (September 17)”.