NEW DELHI: After facing a significant defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, the Aam Aadmi Party, which failed to perform even modestly in the states of Punjab and Delhi, where it won a landslide victory in Assembly elections, is trying to bolster its campaign ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections slated for early next year. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is hosting Vikas Sabhas (development meetings) in Delhi. These events are marked by the attendance of key party leaders and enthusiastic supporters, and aim to highlight the developmental strides made by the AAP government over its tenure and lay out its vision for the future. In one of such meetings, held at the Model Town, Gopal Rai emphasised the development work of the government and the roadmap of the party. These Sabhas have been organised as part of the plan to connect with the locals as well as the party workers.
These events are believed to continue until the announcement for elections, ministers in the Delhi government will lead such gatherings. With the elections drawing near, the Vikas Sabha is seen as a strategic move by the AAP to consolidate its support base and sway undecided voters. Political analysts suggest that the emphasis on development and public welfare could play a pivotal role in the party’s electoral fortunes. Meanwhile, opposition parties have criticised the Vikas Sabha as a mere publicity stunt. The Bhartiya Janta Party argued that the AAP government has failed to address critical issues such as pollution and unemployment.
In response to these events, both, the BJP and the Congress have vowed to present a robust challenge to the AAP in the forthcoming elections, promising alternative solutions to Delhi’s problems.
BJP leader Adesh Gupta, in a media statement, dismissed the developmental claims made by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at the Vikas Sabha. Gupta argued that while AAP’s initiatives, such as mohalla clinics and improvements in public schools, might seem beneficial on the surface, they lack a long-term vision and sustainability. “The AAP government has been more focused on populist measures than real, long-term solutions for Delhi’s problems. The so-called achievements highlighted at the Vikas Sabha are superficial and fail to address the underlying issues faced by the citizens,” Gupta stated.