The recent acquittals of Arvind Kejriwal and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda have injected fresh momentum into the ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab and the Indian National Congress in Haryana, potentially challenging the Bharatiya Janata Party’s position in both states. Political experts suggest the rulings could embolden the leaders ahead of forthcoming elections and legislative sessions.

A Delhi court on Thursday discharged Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and 21 others in the liquor policy case, citing a lack of prima facie evidence and criticizing the CBI for investigative lapses. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann hailed the verdict as a “victory of truth and justice,” alleging that the case represented an attempt by the Union government to curb AAP’s national expansion. Party leaders celebrated the decision with sweets and public statements.

In Haryana, the Punjab and Haryana High Court set aside charges against Hooda and The Associated Journals Limited in the Panchkula plot re-allotment case, ruling that the material on record did not disclose the elements of the alleged offences. The judgment has been described as a moral boost for Hooda and the Congress leadership, particularly amid ongoing political competition with the BJP.

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Political analysts have weighed in on the broader implications. Prof Jagpur Singh Sekhon suggested that while Kejriwal’s acquittal may energize AAP’s base, it may have limited influence on the 2027 Punjab Assembly polls due to perceptions of unmet expectations since the party’s 2022 victory. In Haryana, Sekhon said Hooda’s exoneration reinforces his status as a Congress strongman, though other pending cases may constrain immediate political gains.

Prof Ashutosh noted that judicial exonerations are relatively common in India and observed that Kejriwal’s discharge provides a clear narrative of clean governance for AAP, while Hooda is likely to regain some political credibility within Haryana. Another unnamed analyst highlighted that Hooda’s influence over 32 of the 37 Congress MLAs in the state positions him as a key figure despite the BJP’s continuing dominance.

With Punjab Assembly elections less than a year away, AAP is expected to leverage the Delhi court ruling to portray a “clean slate” to voters, even as the CBI plans to challenge the verdict in the Delhi High Court. In Haryana, Hooda and the Congress have already adopted an assertive stance in the ongoing Budget session, targeting the ruling BJP on multiple fronts and signalling renewed political energy ahead of the 2029 state elections.

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