'It’s a Big Relief': Will Sanjay Singh's Release On Bail Bolster AAP?

The release of Sanjay Singh on bail has come as a boon to the Aam Aadmi Party in its darkest hour, which welcomed the leader with massive celebrations as he walked out of Delhi’s Tihar Jail on Wednesday. His first stop was chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence, to meet Sunita Kejriwal.

To those waiting for him outside jail, where he was lodged for six months, the Rajya Sabha MP said it is time to take on the BJP. “Arvind Kejriwal and our leaders have been put behind bars and I am confident that ye jail ke taale tutenge hamare sare neta chutenge (the locks of jail will break and all our leaders will come out). I want to say that this is not the time to celebrate, but struggle,” he said.

His wife Anita Singh, who held the fort in his absence and also attended the opposition INDIA bloc’s ‘Loktantra Bachao Rally’, told News18: “It is a very big relief for us (rahat). I thank the court; however, we will be truly relieved and celebrate only when my other three brothers (referring to Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain) are also released.”

Singh was arrested without being served a summons on October 4 following surprise raids at his official residence, on allegations of accepting kickbacks to the tune of Rs 2 crore in a case related to a now-scrapped liquor policy for the national capital. The trial in the case is about to begin.

What comes next for Sanjay Singh?

Singh is now expected to play an important role in filling a leadership void for the party, with Delhi chief minister Kejriwal, former deputy Sisodia and senior leader Jain behind bars. He commands acceptability and respect among the rank and file of the AAP, including Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and party MLAs. He has earned Kejriwal’s trust and enjoys good relations with a battery of opposition leaders.

So much so, that the AAP convener had renominated the jailed leader to his second term in the Rajya Sabha. “Sanjay Singh sher hai (Sanjay Singh is a lion),” Kejriwal had said after Singh’s arrest.

“When I went to meet Bhabhi (Kejriwal’s wife), I saw tears in her eyes for the first time. The Almighty will avenge her tears. The people of Delhi will avenge her tears… jail ka jawab vote se denge,” Singh told party party workers as he launched into a sprited defense of the chief minister and asserted that the latter will not resign.

Hailing from Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh, he is a grassroots activist and has risen through the ranks as the AAP transitioned from its origins as an anti-corruption movement to a political party ruling Delhi and, then, to a national party.

Echoing Singh’s call for “sangharsh” (struggle), AAP minister Gopal Rai welcomed his release on bail and said: “The countdown for the BJP’s defeat has started.”

The AAP’s voice in the Rajya Sabha, Singh is a member of the party’s political affairs committee (PAC). He is expected to play an important role in decision making in the physical absence of Kejriwal, Sisodia and Jain in the committee.

Along with Mann, the senior leader will spearhead the AAP’s Lok Sabha campaign on the 22 seats that the party is contesting in terms of strategy and a recognisable face. Most importantly, he will be responsible for keeping the party flock together given his personal ties and problem-solving skills.

Well known for his politically astute defence of the AAP’s position in press conferences and on television, Singh is expected to resume that role. He is the party’s most articulate speaker in Parliament and his release on bail is expected to galvanise the party cadre.

Singh will also play a critical role in communicating and strategising with the opposition INDIA bloc, given that he was present in all the meetings before he was arrested.

What is the AAP saying?

“Singh is popular for his honesty, patriotism, ‘bekhauf awaaz’ (fearless voice) and he is everyone’s neta, including the poorest of the poor. Even the BJP and Congress people take help from him,” said AAP MLA Dilip Pandey, humming Singh’s favourite song ‘Soniya je tere naal, dagga mein karawa/te rab karein mein mar jawan’. Pandey said singer Ustad Hussain Baksh Gullo died while Singh was in custody.

“Sanjay Singh is the first person, who despite being a strong voice against the BJP, has come out of jail without joining the BJP. This is a lesson that ‘tanashahi’ can be defeated with courage and patience,” said former AAP MLA Nitin Tyagi.