Understanding Kejriwal's Governance Model: A Response to Misinformation

 

Understanding Kejriwal's Governance Model: A Response to Misinformation

Recently, someone commented on an old post of mine about Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of giving "freebies" to exploit voters. While such accusations are not new, they reflect a misunderstanding of governance models. Unfortunately, my original post was deleted, but I feel it's crucial to address this misconception again.

Nothing in life is truly free. However, the role of a government is akin to that of a CEO managing resources for collective benefit. We all contribute to the economy, and for it to thrive, the workforce must be educated, healthy, and supported. Taxes are collected by governments to provide essential services, and across the world—even in capitalist economies—socialist measures like free healthcare, subsidies, and unemployment benefits are implemented to ensure the system remains functional.

Kejriwal’s governance model is a shining example of this balance. Over the last decade, his approach has proven to be one of the most effective in creating a vibrant economy. Unlike leaders who indulge in personal luxuries, Kejriwal focuses on public welfare. Under his leadership, Delhi’s economy has tripled in size, thanks to investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. This is not exploitation; it is empowerment.

To accuse him of exploiting voters by providing basic necessities is both ignorant and hypocritical. His governance contrasts sharply with that of the BJP-led central government, which has repeatedly used state resources and institutions for political gains while prioritizing crony capitalism. Unlike Modi, who is often seen favoring a select few businessmen, Kejriwal has demonstrated that governance can be both people-centric and effective.

If the people of Delhi choose to reelect Kejriwal in this election, it will be a testament to the fact that they feel cared for, not exploited. His model isn’t about handouts; it’s about building a sustainable, inclusive economy. In contrast, the BJP's attempts to undermine him reflect their fear of a governance model that delivers tangible results rather than divisive rhetoric.

To those who resort to baseless criticisms, it’s time to introspect. Blindly opposing leaders who challenge the status quo, without understanding the nuances of their governance, only weakens democratic discourse. Kejriwal's achievements speak for themselves. Perhaps, with his leadership, India could realize its potential as a $10 trillion economy—an ambition that should unite us all, regardless of political affiliation.

Here is the original blog:

Accountable Socialism: Kejriwal’s Model of Governance

 

After observing Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership for the past decade, I’ve come to recognize his model of governance as what can best be described as accountable socialism. At its heart, socialism is designed to ensure that resources and services benefit everyone, but without accountability, this noble system can quickly be hijacked by unchecked capitalism.

Here’s how it typically falls apart: businesses operate on the principle of demand and supply, setting prices as they please with economists nodding in approval. But when this “free market” logic is applied to essential, government-funded services like roads, national defense, healthcare, and utilities, the absence of oversight creates a perfect storm for exploitation. Suddenly, a handful of companies monopolize the pricing of these projects, charging exorbitantly and draining public money with no accountability. Wealth begins to concentrate in a few hands while taxpayers unknowingly fund a growing wealth gap.

Under such a system, public money ends up filling private pockets, while services meant to be universal—healthcare, education, infrastructure—begin to degrade. Soon, the narrative shifts. Privatization, once whispered, becomes the only “solution” for the failures of the public system. It’s a predictable cycle: when government oversight disappears, essential services vanish from public control, leaving ordinary people priced out and forced to pay even more for goods they should already have.

This is where Kejriwal’s governance breaks the mold. By implementing strict oversight and controlled pricing, his model ensures that public funds are utilized effectively and wealth is more equitably distributed. He doesn’t reject capitalism but tempers it, ensuring that the economy serves society as a whole instead of lining the pockets of a privileged few. By holding businesses accountable and keeping service costs in check, Kejriwal has freed up government resources to circulate back to the public—creating a self-sustaining system that benefits everyone.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time India experimented with accountable socialism. Back in 1975, during the Emergency, Indira Gandhi attempted a similar approach. Her policies sought to hold both government officials and businesses accountable, ensuring that products and services were delivered at fair, set prices. Before the Emergency and especially after it, businesses had perfected the art of exploiting the system. By controlling the supply of basic goods, they manipulated demand and hoarded stock to drive up prices, selling at exorbitant rates even when people starved. It was a repeat of the British colonial tactics that led to the deaths of over 5 million Indians due to engineered starvation, a historical injustice that only leaders like Dr. Shashi Tharoor have dared to speak about publicly.

Indira Gandhi’s vision could have been a game-changer. Unfortunately, the well-crafted policies of accountable socialism were derailed by Sanjay Gandhi and his associates, who pushed for an aggressive population control agenda, disproportionately targeting lower castes and the Muslim community. Ironically, this hardline approach mirrored the RSS’s vision, ultimately sabotaging the very system that could have empowered the people.

For those wondering where Kejriwal finds the funds to roll out subsidies and give back to taxpayers, the answer lies in controlled pricing and oversight. By curbing price manipulation and eliminating inefficiencies, the Delhi government has generated a surplus far exceeding its needs. This model didn’t just stabilize Delhi’s economy—it stirred it up. The controlled costs have created a cyclical economic impact, where government spending boosts economic activity, increasing tax collections exponentially.

The results speak for themselves. Delhi’s annual budget today stands at a staggering ₹77,000 crore, a figure many couldn’t have imagined a decade ago. This is the power of a circular economy: when public money is reinvested efficiently, it multiplies, creating growth and prosperity for all.

I first explained this concept in 2001 during a lecture at CSIO, Chandigarh, in the presence of Dr. S.K. Sharma, then an advisor to the BJP government. The principles remain unchanged—accountability and oversight are the cornerstones of equitable governance. Kejriwal’s success in Delhi isn’t a fluke; it’s a demonstration of what happens when government spending is controlled, businesses are held accountable, and the economy works for the people, not against them.

Kejriwal’s accountable socialism isn’t just a policy; it’s a lesson in governance—one that should remind us that oversight isn’t a burden. It’s the safeguard that ensures fairness, equity, and sustainable economic growth. Without it, we risk returning to the same unchecked exploitation that plagued India before and after the Emergency. With it, we have a system that empowers the people, ensures balance, and creates a future where the economy serves everyone—not just the few.