The Endgame of the Arvind Kejriwal Scam: A Battle Between Modi and Kejriwal
Historical Corruption in Independent India
From the inception of independent India, corruption has been a persistent challenge. In earlier decades, such as under the Nehru and Indira Gandhi tenure, corruption was rampant but rarely punished. For instance, during the Nehru era, a man named Dharma Teja evaded taxes and escaped abroad, leading to allegations of favoritism. Similarly, during Indira Gandhi's period, numerous scams flourished, and her own son Sanjay Gandhi was involved in the Maruti scam.
Notable scandals like the Nagarwala scam in 1971 exemplified the extent of corruption at the time. Despite these issues, political opposition was negligible, and corruption was tolerated by the ruling parties.
The Modi Era: An Antidote to Corruption
However, the situation dramatically changed with the ascension of Narendra Modi to power in 2014. The last decade under the Modi government saw far fewer corruption cases involving the central ministers and state-level leaders. Trends indicate a positive shift, with opposition parties like the Indian National Congress and regional leaders often facing corruption allegations.
Nonetheless, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been increasingly targeting opposition leaders, filing cases against them, and attaching their properties. Despite these actions, no high-profile convictions have occurred, save for a few exceptional cases like Sasikala Jayalalithaa.
Arvind Kejriwal and the Loud Scandal
Emerging from this backdrop, Arvind Kejriwal stands out. He has been involved in a significant scam alleged to be involving a manipulation of liquor excise duties, amounting to several hundred crores, to fund a successful election campaign against the BJP in Goa. This case highlights Kejriwal's alleged misuse of funds.
Moreover, Kejriwal has been notorious for personally attacking Modi and questioning his credentials. In 2014, Kejriwal contested against Modi in Varanasi, symbolizing his fierce opposition.
The Strategic Political Maneuvers
Kejriwal's political moves aim to consolidate power in North Indian states, with ambitions to include Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. These states are crucial to the BJP and Modi's political base.
While the BJP and Modi are not bothered by opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi or regional chieftains such as Mamata Banerjee, Kejriwal poses a significant threat. His actions are slowly eroding the BJP's influence in North India, making it possible for them to lose their stronghold in less than a decade.
Tenure and Foreign Support
The ED has been diligently working to gather evidence against Kejriwal, but the outcome remains uncertain. Kejriwal's global influence is considerable, with powerful foreign governments actively supporting his continued political activity. His association with influential personalities, such as George Soros, demonstrates his strategic backing from international leaders.
The ultimate decision on Kejriwal's fate lies with the Supreme Court. Positive outcomes could involve a dismissal of charges, resulting in his continued influence, or a conviction leading to a seven to ten-year jail term, potentially finishing his political career. Alternatively, a symbolic fine of one rupee, as in the case of Prashant Bhushan, could provide a mild punishment.
Ultimately, the election results will play a decisive role. If the BJP secures more than 400 seats, foreign support for Kejriwal might waver, allowing for a stronger conviction and punishment. Conversely, current international backing for Kejriwal ensures his continued influence in the political sphere.
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