After AAP’s crushing defeat in the Delhi elections, former party leader Prashant Bhushan blames Arvind Kejriwal for abandoning AAP’s core principles, calling it the “beginning of the end.”
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AAP’s Massive Defeat: Prashant Bhushan Calls It the “Beginning of the End”
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) faced a crushing defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections, managing to win only 22 out of 70 seats, while the BJP stormed to power with 48 seats. Following this historic loss, ousted AAP leader and senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan launched a scathing attack on Arvind Kejriwal, blaming him for the party’s downfall and calling it the “beginning of the end.”
🔹 Prashant Bhushan’s Sharp Criticism of Kejriwal
Bhushan, who was expelled from AAP in 2015, accused Kejriwal of betraying the party’s founding principles and turning it into a “supremo-dominated, corrupt outfit.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Bhushan wrote:
“A party formed for alternative politics, which was supposed to be transparent, accountable, and democratic, was quickly transformed by Arvind into a supremo-dominated, non-transparent, and corrupt party.”
Key Accusations by Prashant Bhushan:
✅ Deviation from core principles – AAP abandoned transparency and accountability.
✅ Rise of corruption – Party allegedly became non-transparent and power-centric.
✅ Over-reliance on propaganda – Kejriwal used “bluster” instead of real governance.
🔹 ‘Sheeshmahal’ Controversy: A Major Election Issue
A major talking point in the Delhi election campaign was the controversy surrounding the lavish renovation of Kejriwal’s official residence, dubbed as ‘Sheeshmahal’ (Glass Palace).
Bhushan attacked Kejriwal over this, alleging:
“He built a ₹45 crore Sheeshmahal for himself and began travelling in luxury cars. He discarded 33 detailed policy reports prepared by expert committees, claiming the party would adopt expedient policies when the time came.”
🔴 The extravagant renovation of Kejriwal’s residence became a key BJP attack point, contributing to AAP’s declining credibility among voters.
🔹 Anna Hazare Takes a Dig at Kejriwal
Social activist Anna Hazare, a former mentor to Kejriwal during the India Against Corruption movement, also criticized him for straying from his “aam aadmi” (common man) persona.
When asked about the Sheeshmahal controversy, Hazare laughed and said:
“He once said he would live in a small room all his life. But later, I heard he built a Sheeshmahal for himself. I’m 90 years old—I could have built a fancy house too. But true happiness comes from serving society, not luxury.”
Hazare had previously warned that AAP had lost its way, focusing more on money and power rather than public service.
🔹 AAP’s Historic Loss: What Went Wrong?
AAP’s defeat marks a significant shift in Delhi’s political landscape. The party, which ruled Delhi for a decade, saw a massive dip in voter confidence.
Key Factors Behind AAP’s Defeat:
❌ Sheeshmahal controversy – Alienated middle-class voters.
❌ Governance concerns – Perceived focus on self-promotion over public service.
❌ BJP’s aggressive campaign – Capitalized on AAP’s weaknesses and internal dissent.
❌ Leadership failure – Kejriwal’s inability to address corruption allegations effectively.
With Arvind Kejriwal and other top leaders losing their seats, the defeat raises serious questions about AAP’s future.
🔹 Kejriwal’s Response: Accepts Defeat, Congratulates BJP
Despite the electoral debacle, Kejriwal acknowledged the people’s mandate and congratulated the BJP:
“We accept the verdict of the people and hope that the BJP will fulfill the expectations of Delhiites.”
However, the future of AAP now remains uncertain, with internal party tensions and declining public trust adding to their woes.
🔹 What’s Next for AAP? Will Kejriwal Survive the Political Storm?
With Prashant Bhushan and Anna Hazare openly criticizing Kejriwal, AAP faces a major crisis. The big question remains: Can Kejriwal rebuild the party, or is this truly the beginning of the end?
💬 What do you think? Can AAP recover from this defeat, or is Kejriwal’s political future in jeopardy? Share your thoughts below!
🔴 Stay tuned for the latest political updates and election analysis.
