Delhi Polls: Kiran Bedi brings no respite to BJP, Arvind Kejriwal remains preferred choice, says survey

NEW DELHI: BJP’s decision to induct Kiran Bedi as the party’s CM candidate has failed to impress voters. ET’s opinion poll conducted by TNS on voter mood before the Delhi assembly polls shows her anointment has done little to lift the saffron party’s prospects in Delhi. Not only does AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal continue to remain the most-preferred choice for chief minister across political parties, his popularity has shot up after Bedi’s induction into BJP, according to the survey done in the last week of January.

Bedi’s popularity stands at 38 per cent, 16 percentage points behind Kejriwal’s. Congress leader Ajay Maken stands third, but lags way behind with just 6 per cent voters favouring him. Kejriwal’s soaring popularity is a direct result of BJP’s decision to distance PM Narendra Modi from the Delhi polls, according to political commentator Dipankar Gupta.

“Bedi’s entry into the poll scene killed all direct comparisons between Modi and Kejriwal. That, I feel, has turned things around for Kejriwal,” Gupta told ET. AAP, on its part, had also avoided any direct attacks on Modi even though the PM referred to him as a ‘Naxali’ in his first rally in Delhi in January.

“We chose to keep our campaign largely positive and Arvind did not target Modi. If you notice, he refrains from targeting Kiran Bedi as well,” said an AAP leader who did not wish to identified.

Political commentator Neerja Chandoke is convinced that the villages, poorer sections and minorities are the main driving force behind Kejriwal’s popularity.

“If you remember there was a news report recently which said that 60 per cent of Delhi voters live on less than `14,000 a month. This class and its approval of Kejriwal makes him a formidable contender for the CM’s post,” she said. “I also think that AAP’s criticism of Bedi as an opportunist has also hit her where it hurts the most.”

Gupta agrees with Chandoke on this to a certain extent. “Last time, the middle class was enthused and came out in large numbers to vote. This time they may not have the drive to do the same. This should worry BJP,” he added.

At the time when BJP was trying to set its house in order, AAP has been working systematically to mobilise its cadres. AAP workers spread across Delhi with Kejriwal himself deciding to visit each of the 70 constituencies at least twice. The workers had explicit orders that they had to visit each and every house at least four times before elections.

Political commentator Neerja Chaudhary said Kejriwal had shown himself to be a savvy politician, who is making use of all opportunities to his advantage and putting BJP on the defensive.