In the 2025 Delhi assembly elections, Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is trailing Parvesh Verma of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the early trends. However, the final results will be announced on Saturday, February 8.

A Crucial Election for Kejriwal

This election is crucial for Kejriwal. After resigning as Delhi's Chief Minister in September 2024, he views this election as a fight for his political survival. He called it a battle between political dynasties and the common man. Kejriwal is contesting from the New Delhi seat, hoping for a strong comeback.

Kejriwal’s Early Life and Career

Born on August 16, 1968, in Haryana, Arvind Kejriwal initially studied mechanical engineering at IIT Kharagpur. Later, he joined the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). However, he soon became frustrated with the system and decided to make a change.

From Activist to Politician

Kejriwal first gained prominence as an RTI activist. In 2006, he was honored with the Ramon Magsaysay Award. Despite this, Kejriwal wanted to bring about change from within the political system. Consequently, in 2012, he founded the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which made a major impact on Indian politics.

Kejriwal’s Political Rise

In 2013, Kejriwal made a sensational entry into Delhi politics by defeating Sheila Dikshit, the three-time Congress Chief Minister. Although he resigned after just 49 days, he bounced back in 2015 with a landslide victory, winning 67 out of 70 seats. Similarly, in 2020, AAP again dominated, securing 62 seats. His policies, including free electricity, better schools, and mohalla clinics, earned him widespread popularity.

Setback in 2024

In March 2024, Kejriwal faced a significant setback when he was arrested on charges related to corruption in Delhi’s liquor policy. As a result, he became the first sitting chief minister to be jailed. While AAP called the arrest a political conspiracy, it undoubtedly hurt his public image. After spending six months in jail, the Supreme Court granted him bail. Soon after, he resigned and handed leadership over to Atishi.

Kejriwal’s Hope in 2025

In the 2025 election, Kejriwal is counting on public sympathy and his previous achievements. Ultimately, the results will determine whether he can make a comeback or face a major defeat.