Focus on public service to win polls: Kejriwal to AAP councillors

Addressing Aam Aadmi Party councillors, the party’s national convener, Arvind Kejriwal, on Tuesday shared his strategies for the Assembly elections in Delhi, scheduled to be held next year.

Kejriwal urged the councillors to remain united, avoid complacency and focus on public service, especially as the party gears up for the Delhi Assembly elections.

The former CM said the unprecedented political attacks on AAP in the last two years have been the most challenging times for the party. “This kind of attack that was launched against us — something like this has never been seen in history, at least not in Indian politics. No government or party has ever been attacked to this extent,” Kejriwal said.

He commended AAP members for their unwavering support, crediting their resolve for the survival of both the Delhi and Punjab Governments. “A journalist told us that Prime Minister Modi had said after arresting me, they would break our MLAs, topple the Delhi and Punjab Governments, and dismantle AAP in the MCD. But none of this has happened,” he stated.

“The fight is between PM Modi and God. And since God is with us, victory will be ours in the end,” he added.

Kejriwal urged the councillors to stay grounded, warning them not to become overconfident despite AAP’s growing popularity. “If you do that, I am confident we will win,” he told the councillors, underlining the party’s achievements in improving schools, healthcare and public services.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, echoing Kejriwal’s sentiments, stated that the AAP was making history. “We may have just become councillors and MLAs, but the political spirit was always there. This will be written in history: under Kejriwal’s leadership, a team stood strong and fought,” Sisodia remarked.

Gopal Rai, a senior AAP leader, compared Kejriwal to Arjun from the Mahabharata. “The BJP thought Kejriwal was like Abhimanyu, unaware of political strategies, but they didn’t realise he’s the new Arjun of India’s transformation, who won’t stop until he wins.”

Mayor Shelly Oberoi said despite the challenges AAP faced while forming the MCD government, the BJP had tried to block the party’s rise by reducing seats and influencing mayoral elections. Despite these obstacles, the AAP succeeded in forming the government and overcoming the BJP’s attempts to undermine it through various tactics.