In the year 2022, first-time people breathed in almost Covid-free air. Indian polity returned to its original warring character. From revolt to U-turns to historic victories to mega road shows-the year witnessed everything Indian polity is known for. The year began with an election in high stake UP assembly and towards the end, the election for the Gujarat assembly witnessed BJP creating history with a massive win. Significantly, Central agencies- CBI and ED remained in the news as if it is stakeholders in politics.
Here are the top events that made a huge buzz in 2022:
1 Election 2022– Goa, Uttarakhand, Punjab, UP, HP, Manipur, Delhi Municipal Corporation(MCD), and Gujarat went to elections. BJP’s dominance continues in 2022. The party won 5 states-Goa, Uttarakhand, UP, Manipur, and Gujarat, while Congress won in one state HP. The biggest surprise came from AAP when they won Punjab and MCD. In 37 years the first time, a ruling party returned to power in UP. BJP broke its own record by winning 156 seats out of 182 in Gujarat, thus forming the government for the 7th time.
2 AAP Ministers– In this year, AAP Ministers in Kejriwal Cabinet remained in news throughout the year but for the wrong reasons. Delhi Ministers- Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain landed in legal trouble for corruption charges. Health Minister Jain is in jail since 30th May on charges of money laundering. An FIR was lodged by CBI against Sisodia in connection with the liquor scam.
3 Congress President– The election for the post of Congress President was big news because it was held after 25 years. This internal election was also not controversy-free. Earlier, it was reported that Gandhi’s loyalist Ashok Gehlot will contest but he denied to hand over his CM post to his junior Sachin Pilot. This triggered almost a revolt in Rajasthan Congress. Finally, Mallikarjun Kharge, a de facto, representative of Gandhis, contested and won against Shashi Tharoor, a member of the G-23 group who sought radical reforms in the party.
4 Bharat Jodo Yatra- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been carrying out a massive campaign to regain the lost election ground of his party. Rahul-led padayatra recently completed the 100-day mark. BJP called it an initiative to re-launch the ‘brand Rahul’. The yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir spanning 3570 kilometers, will last 150 days. Rahul Gandhi said he is on a foot march to spread love among people.
5 Nitish Kumar– the Year 2022 has been one of the turning points for Bihar CM and Janata Dal (U) leader Nitish Kumar’s political career as he took another U-turn by joining Mahagathbandhan. In August, he left the NDA and formed a government with the support of RJD. He announced that he will run a campaign against BJP and he would not contest any election. He indirectly declared Tejashwi Yadav (RJD) as his successor.
6 Shiv Sena– the year 2022 was a nightmare for Uddhav Thackeray led Shiv Sena as it split into two sections. In June, Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde led a revolt against his own party. He along with dozens of MLAs flew to Guwahati. An absolute filmy drama that ended in the collapse MVA government headed by Uddhav Thackeray, who had to resign from CM’s post. Shinde became CM with the support of the BJP. The matter of ownership of the party is in Supreme Court (SC). The development soured the political environment in the state. The arrest of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut (now out on bail) in a money laundering case added fuel to fire. The state also witnessed several high-profile arrests, including former ministers- Anil Deshmukh (who got bail yesterday after more than a year) and Nawab Malik, both these ministers were part of MVA government of Uddhav Thackeray, and are from NCP.
7 National Herald Case– This haunted the Gandhi family in 2022. This year, then Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi, for the first time appeared Enforcement Directorate (ED) office. In July Sonia Gandhi whose health was not so good due to Covid infection, appeared three times before ED, while Gandhi was grilled five times. The Congress party leaders launched nationwide protests. Congress hit headlines whenever Gandhis appeared before ED.
8 Mulayam Singh Yadav’s Death– An era ended with the demise of Samajwadi Party founder and former CM of UP, Mulayam Singh Yadav. He was a three-time CM of UP. He was one of the tallest socialist politicians. His son Akhilesh Yadav has been carrying forward his political legacy.
9 Central Probe Agencies– It was an unprecedented year for these agencies- ED and CBI. Throughout the year, these agencies have been in news. Perhaps, it has been a year of raids and arrests. They grilled top leaders like Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Manish Sisodia, DK Shiva Kumar, and several others. ED arrested Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, AAP minister Satyendar Jain, and former Maharashtra ministers-Anil Deshmukh and Nawab Malik.
10 AAP– it was a red-letter year for Arvind Kejriwal led AAP. It became a national party after it got a huge vote share-13% in the recently concluded Gujarat assembly election and also won 5 seats there. It also got success to end the 15-year dominance of BJP in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. The 10-year-old party also created history in Punjab. AAP formed a government in the state dislodging the Congress government.
I have not mentioned the names of PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, as they were always in the news and limelight. Throughout the year they were receiving brickbats from Opposition leaders on each and every issue, whether good or bad for the country.
Waiting for your views on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
29th December 2022