Arvind Kejriwal Wins TIME 100 Readers’ Poll

Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal took first place after more than 3.2 million votes were cast, followed by Narendra Modi, the frontrunner in the Indian elections, and celebrities like Katy Perry, Justin Bieber and Laverne Cox.

Here are some key details:

1. Context: This win came during India’s 2014 elections, where Kejriwal was a candidate for a Parliamentary seat, and Modi was the frontrunner to become the next Prime Minister.
2. Significance: Kejriwal’s win was seen as a major upset and highlighted the growing popularity of his anti-establishment Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
3. It was a reader-voted poll, not the official TIME 100 list. While it garnered significant attention, it didn’t translate to inclusion in the official list curated by TIME editors.
4. Kejriwal received the most “yes” votes (261,114) compared to his competitor Narendra Modi (164,572). However, it’s important to note that Modi received more “no” votes (166,260) than “yes” votes.
5. The poll became a battleground for Indian politics. With both Kejriwal and Modi involved in the ongoing elections, their supporters actively participated in the poll, making it more about national politics than individual influence.
6. Nuances: It’s important to note that the TIME 100 Readers’ Poll is separate from the official TIME 100 list, which is chosen by the magazine’s editors. Additionally, Modi received more “no” votes than “yes” votes, suggesting a more polarized opinion towards him among readers.

It’s important to note that the TIME 100 Readers’ Poll is separate from the official TIME 100 list, which is chosen by TIME magazine editors. While Kejriwal won the reader poll, he was not included on the official list that year.

Kejriwal’s 2014 TIME Reader’s Poll win, amidst India’s intense elections, signalled public backing for his anti-corruption movement and Aam Aadmi Party, though Modi received more “no” votes, highlighting a divided opinion.