AAM Aadmi Party Punjab|Decoding Kejriwal
War against corruption, lack of women safety and increasing pollution that triggered rise of Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party are now threatening to usher in negative sentiment against him and the party. The Social Media trends taking 3,573,523 people and their views into account for this analysis from October 2015 to December 2015 associated with the Aam Aadmi Party and Arvind Kejriwal show the ugly face of the party and the man.
Corruption
The main plank of Mr. Arvind Kjriwal’s electoral campaigns saw higher negative conversations during the last three months. Hugging Lalu Prasad Yadav, corruption charges against his Principal Secretary and his silence over National Herald case dented his and his Party’s image.
Women
There was a higher negative sentiment throughout the last three months. Presence of party members like Somnath Bharti who was alleged to have harassed his wife and Dr.Kumar Vishwas who was alleged to have molested a volunteer, created negative impressions. People questioned Arvind Kejriwal for offering Rs. 10,000 to Afroz, who was convicted in the Nirbhaya rape and murder case
Odd-Even Scheme in Delhi
This issue had the highest share of conversation for Arvind Kejriwal and his Government. Schemes like ‘Car free day’ and Odd-Even, to curb pollution in Delhi kept large people engaged. There were negative sentiments generated by this “Odd-Even” formula and the clever selection of days for the drive when there were school holidays in Delhi. In December, many ridiculed the scheme; pointing to the fact that vehicles contribute least towards pollution. This was perceived to be a means to divert attention from issues like 400% hike in salary and debate on Delhi Janlokpal.
Social Media Trends
December witnessed a 132% jump in overall mentions from November around AAP and Arvind Kejriwal. Issues such as the CBI Raid on Rajendra Kumar, Arvind Kejriwal alleging Arun Jaitley in the DDCA scam, and the Odd-Even scheme to curb pollution, contributed to these conversations. There has been a progressive jump in negative sentiment around AAP and Arvind Kejriwal.
Incidents such as Arvind Kejriwal hugging Lalu Prasad Yadav, corruption charges against his Principal Secretary, allegations against Arun Jaitley’s involvement in the DDCA scam and his silence over the National Herald case contributed to the rise in negative sentiment.
From his allegations against finance minister Arun Jaitley to hugging scam-tainted RJD chief Lalu Prasad and the roll-out of the odd-even scheme, nearly everything that Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejrial does or says prompts a reaction. Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party are mentioned online more than ever before, but negative sentiment jumped from 55% in October to 70% in December 2015.
People questioned Arvind Kejriwal’s anti-corruption crusader image and condemned the party for this move. Arvind Kejriwal’s explanation of Lalu Prasad Yadav forcibly hugging him was also ridiculed.
People questioned non-action against Mr.Rajendra Kumar despite numerous complaints; appointment of such a secretary in the first place was also questioned. Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘hysterical reaction’ to the CBI raid was perceived to be symbolic of corruption in the CM’s office. Arvind Kejriwal contradicting his own statement of no prior intimation of raids, during the recent CBI raid was also ridiculed in social media.