NEW DELHI, Feb 3 (PTI) — As Delhi heads for its crucial Assembly polls on February 5, high-profile candidates with a history of incarceration are drawing significant attention. From Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and his long-time associate Manish Sisodia, to riot-accused Tahir Hussain and Shifa-ur Rehman, several contenders have spent time in jail over cases ranging from alleged corruption to the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. Political observers say such jail stints don’t necessarily sway the electorate’s decision at the ballot box, although they can spark both sympathy and criticism.
Kejriwal’s Arrest and Political Aftermath
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested ahead of the last Lok Sabha elections in a money laundering case linked to the now-repealed Delhi excise policy. Although he secured brief bail to campaign, he was later granted interim bail under strict conditions—including a ban on accessing the Chief Minister’s office. Two days afterward, he resigned from his post, vowing to only return once the public deemed him “honest.”Stepping into the role, Atishi became Delhi’s third woman Chief Minister. Since then, Kejriwal has consistently claimed that the BJP orchestrated his arrest to brand him as a “chor” (thief), asserting, “Even my fiercest enemy knows I am not corrupt.” The BJP, on the other hand, has criticized his approach, accusing him of wearing his jail term as a “badge of honour.”
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attacked Kejriwal at a recent public meeting, stating, “He is going around proudly talking about going to jail like it was during the freedom struggle. He went to jail in a liquor-corruption case—he should be ashamed.”
Experts Weigh In
According to Abhishek Giri, a political science professor at Delhi University, jail terms don’t always deter voters:Azhar Mehboob, a political science scholar at Jamia Millia Islamia, similarly notes that the public’s perception of a jailed politician doesn’t always translate into voting patterns.
AAP Leaders in Legal Turmoil
Several key AAP figures have also navigated legal hurdles:- Manish Sisodia, former Deputy Chief Minister, was arrested and spent 17 months behind bars before being granted bail last August.
- Sanjay Singh was released on bail last April.
- Satyendar Jain, an early AAP leader to face arrest, spent over 18 months in Tihar Jail in a money laundering case involving approximately Rs 4.8 crore. He was released in October last year after a Delhi court granted him bail.
Riot Accusations and Party Switches
Tahir Hussain and Shifa-ur Rehman, both accused in the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, are also seeking Assembly seats under the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) banner.- Hussain, formerly with AAP, has switched allegiance to AIMIM and is standing from Mustafabad.
- Rehman, who previously led the Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni Association, is making his electoral debut from Okhla.
Both have been granted parole to campaign.
Criminal Cases and the Bigger Picture
Data from the poll rights group ADR reveals that 19% of the Delhi Assembly candidates have declared criminal cases—slightly down from 20% in the 2020 elections. Serious criminal charges (punishable by five or more years in prison) apply to 12% of the candidates, a decrease from 15% in the previous polls.With 70 Assembly seats at stake, the final outcome will hinge on various factors—from governance records and public perception to party loyalty and local issues. The votes are set to be counted on February 8, determining whether jail records and corruption allegations will significantly influence Delhi’s political future.
