Sun Sep 15 12:49:42 UTC 2024: ## Kejriwal’s Resignation Sparks Political Firestorm in Delhi and Haryana
**New Delhi:** Arvind Kejriwal’s dramatic announcement that he would resign as Delhi’s Chief Minister within 48 hours has ignited a political firestorm, with Congress leaders lashing out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and reiterating their intention to contest upcoming elections independently.
Kejriwal’s move, ostensibly prompted by Supreme Court strictures on his bail conditions, has been viewed by many as an attempt to capitalize on public sympathy ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for next year.
Congress leaders in Delhi and Haryana have dismissed Kejriwal’s resignation as a political ploy, accusing him of using it as a platform to campaign for the upcoming Haryana elections. Sandeep Dikshit, son of former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit, criticized Kejriwal’s timing, questioning why he didn’t resign earlier if that was his intention.
He further alleged a lack of trust within AAP, suggesting Kejriwal’s move is a way for him to retain control even from outside the office. Dikshit also highlighted the damage he believes Kejriwal has done to Delhi.
Ajay Maken, another Delhi Congress leader, reiterated the party’s stance that they will contest the Haryana elections independently, urging voters to choose Congress to prevent a BJP victory.
The Congress has been critical of AAP’s rise, seeing it as a threat to their own political base. The party has been particularly vocal about AAP’s success in Delhi, where they ended Sheila Dikshit’s reign in 2015.
Digvijay Chautala of the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) believes Kejriwal’s resignation is strategically timed to focus on Haryana politics.
Meanwhile, despite the criticism, AAP is positioning Kejriwal’s resignation as an opportunity to reconnect with the people and seek a mandate in the upcoming Delhi elections. Kejriwal himself stated his intention to seek a “people’s verdict” before returning to the Chief Minister’s chair.
The Congress has pointed out the irony of AAP, a party born out of an anti-corruption movement, facing allegations of corruption against its leaders. They have expressed amusement at the situation, suggesting Kejriwal could remain Chief Minister even while in jail.
The political drama surrounding Kejriwal’s resignation is expected to intensify as the upcoming elections in Delhi and Haryana draw closer. The battle for power in both states promises to be fierce, with Congress and AAP vying for the support of voters.
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