Arvind Kejriwal’s rise in Indian politics was nothing short of a revolution. From being an anti-corruption crusader to Delhi’s Chief Minister, he championed governance centered on “freebies” – free electricity, water, healthcare, and education. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) branded itself as the messiah of the common man, offering relief from systemic exploitation. However, the very model that elevated Kejriwal to political stardom appears to be the one that has now become his undoing.

With Kejriwal’s recent legal troubles and the decline in AAP’s national appeal, it is worth analyzing whether the culture of freebies is a sustainable governance model or an electoral gimmick with diminishing returns. More importantly, does India, or for that reason any state or union territory, need handouts or genuine structural development?

The Political Utility of Freebies

In the short term, freebies are an excellent electoral strategy. They provide immediate relief to the economically weaker sections, ensuring a loyal voter base. When Kejriwal announced free water, electricity, bus rides for women, and mohalla clinics, it resonated with Delhi’s lower and middle classes.

The idea was simple – reduce people’s monthly expenses, put more money in their pockets, and secure their votes. And it worked. AAP stormed to power in Delhi thrice, each time defeating political giants like the BJP and Congress. The message was clear: people valued tangible benefits over abstract political narratives.

The success of Kejriwal’s model encouraged other politicians to follow suit. From Tamil Nadu’s free grinders and televisions to Telangana’s Rythu Bandhu scheme and Madhya Pradesh’s Ladli Laxmi Yojana, welfare politics became the new norm. Even national parties like BJP and Congress began incorporating similar promises into their manifestos.

But does this welfare-centric approach amount to real development? No. It only indicates desperation on part of leaders to secure votes than any inspiration up their sleeve to execute any development. Announcing freebies is a form of mental bankruptcy and a lack of innovative power........

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