Arvind Kejriwal entered politics to change it. Then, politics changed him

Feb 9, 2025 | 18:16 IST

Once upon a time, Kejriwal was an icon of hope for a new, fearless India. But over the years, the hallowed persona wore off. And, on February 8, the after-effect was seen in the outcome of the Delhi assembly polls

Once upon a time, there was an Arvind Kejriwal. A crusader against corruption, he brought back forgotten words, such as integrity and idealism, into the political discourse and created immense possibilities of an alternative model of clean governance. His first swearing-in ceremony at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan in the winter of 2013 didn’t feel like a momentary celebration of people’s power. It was more like the beginning of a movement for positive change in the way politics was conducted in the country.

Thousands of ageing men and women had turned up from every corner of India Ignored, from distant states like Telangana and Tamil Nadu. Even his off-key rendition of, “Insaan ka insaan se ho bhaichara ” (film: Paigham), was no dampener.

TOI

TOI

Arvind Kejriwal entered politics to change it. Then, politics changed him

Once upon a time, Kejriwal was an icon of hope for a new, fearless India. But over the years, the hallowed persona wore off. And, on February 8, the after-effect was seen in the outcome of the Delhi assembly polls

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TOI

Arvind Kejriwal entered politics to change it. Then, politics changed him

Once upon a time, Kejriwal was an icon of hope for a new, fearless India. But over the years, the hallowed persona wore off. And, on February 8, the after-effect was seen in the outcome of the Delhi assembly polls

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