The absence of probity in India’s political life is often bemoaned with justification. But probity, Indian politicians believe, can fetch political dividends. Arvind Kejriwal’s sudden resignation as the chief minister of Delhi — Atishi, the Aam Aadmi Party chief has announced, will be his replacement — ought to be read as a political move to refurbish his image in the public eye. The express aim of Mr Kejriwal, who received bail from the Supreme Court after he was jailed on charges of corruption, is to seek electoral support on the basis of public sympathy. In fact, Mr Kejriwal is known to play the resignation card well. On the last occasion he resigned, his party was returned to power in Delhi by a handsome margin. The resignation, it can be argued, has an additional purpose: it might provide the cadre of the AAP, especially its lower rungs, with the kind of boost and energy that it needs to overcome the stiff challenge of incumbency. However, the immediate electoral compulsions should not deflect attention from a deeper issue. Mr Kejriwal’s rise in politics and much of his electoral success can be attributed to a carefully crafted image as a crusader against corruption. The Bharatiya Janata Party has been busy trying, by means foul and fair, to demolish this image: Mr Kejriwal’s stint in jail as well as the arrest of his peers must be seen in this context. Mr Kejriwal has now responded by putting his principal political capital — his perceived probity — to the test in order to wade out of churning waters. He knows that the dismantling of his claim as the proverbial nemesis of corruption may dim — irreversibly — his political halo. The reverse would cement his grip on power.

The BJP, which has described Mr Kejriwal’s ploy as political drama, may not be unnecessarily perturbed. This is because Delhi had cold-shouldered Mr Kejriwal’s party when he was in jail, albeit in the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP would be hoping that Delhi, when it goes to polls, would spurn its former chief minister like it did in the national elections. But Mr Kejriwal’s real fate is unlikely to be decided by theatrics alone. The returns from AAP’s formidable investments in public welfare, especially in health and education for the underprivileged, as well as its ability to put to use the advantages accrued from dominating Delhi’s municipalities could have disproportionate impacts on the elections.