Elections in Delhi are due next year. But chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has demanded that they be held along with Maharashtra later this year, after he shocked many by announcing that he would step down from his post soon.

Days after he was released on a conditional bail that restricted his powers, Kejriwal has tried to claim the moral high ground, saying that he will not sit in the CM’s chair “until the public gives its verdict that Kejriwal is honest”. He has stopped short of dissolving his government so far though, saying that the AAP legislature party will now pick a new leader, triggering speculation about who will be the new chief minister.

Meanwhile, all prominent dailies featured his shock announcement on the front page, with some pointing to a “moral high ground”, and some throwing in a word of caution about governance. 

The front page report in The Hindustan Times noted that Kejriwal’s decision is likely to cause an upheaval in Delhi’s political landscape and add a new strand to the capital’s electoral contest as the AAP goes into a huddle to elect a new chief minister. Another report quoted sources naming the frontrunners for the job.

The paper’s editorial said that Kejriwal’s decision can reshape the politics of Delhi but governance must not become secondary. It noted that Kejriwal’s remarks indicate that he is “aware that the party needs an extensive grassroots campaign to triumph a third consecutive time in Delhi — particularly since governance suffered due to a tussle between the elected government and the lieutenant governor”. 

“As important as this moment may be, the political class on both sides of the aisle must remember that the primary responsibility they have towards the Capital’s residents is governance.”

The Times of India lead package on Kejriwal had a brief copy which mentioned that it is unlikely that the EC will advance Delhi polls to November. It pointed out that the summary revision of electoral polls is underway and the final voter list will only be published early next year.

A piece on the edit page by Swarajya editorial director R Jagannathan said Kejriwal’s move is “unlikely to make waves beyond the media”.

Meanwhile, an explainer on the front page of The Indian Express noted that behind Kejriwal’s remarks and his move to seek early elections “is an attempt to reclaim the moral high ground, especially in the wake of the corruption allegations over the now-scrapped excise policy and the arrests of senior AAP leaders including Kejriwal himself, said party insiders”.

“A section of the party, however, is worried over the confusion in the AAP’s ranks as many sought to understand why Kejriwal was pushing for early polls while also announcing that a new CM would be appointed soon.”

“Amid worry over fallout of graft charges, bid to claim moral high ground,” read the headline.

The front page report in The Telegraph said that through his months in jail, Arvind Kejriwal “confounded many by refusing to resign as Delhi chief minister. Now freed on bail, he has caused some more surprise by declaring he would step down in two days. The Aam Aadmi Party national convener announced his decision on Sunday, claiming the moral high ground two days after his release from Tihar Jail. He, however, signalled he was ready to be back if the AAP won the “agnipariksha” (trial by fire) of the upcoming assembly polls.”

Meanwhile, the strap under the lead headline on The Hindu’s front page noted that “his plan is to stymie BJP’s bid to break AAP”.

The New Indian Express front page headline read “Kejri plays resignation card”. Three pointers next to the lead report asked if it was an early poll jumla, since the assembly hasn’t been dissolved and the EC needs time to prepare for elections.

Newslaundry had earlier reported on the power tussle in Delhi.

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