AAP launches ‘Mission 2025’ ahead of Delhi Assembly elections

New Delhi: The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has kicked off its “Mission 2025” with a focus on the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. As part of its election preparations, the party has launched several outreach programs to engage with Delhi residents. Earlier this week, Kejriwal introduced a large-scale outreach campaign aimed at connecting with every household in the city.
Buoyed by the release of its top leaders on bail ahead of the elections, AAP is now actively engaging with Delhi’s citizens, clarifying the reasons behind Kejriwal’s arrest and addressing the truth surrounding it. The party is strategically using this issue to evoke public sentiment and gain voter support. Kejriwal, since his release from jail, has been meeting with Delhi residents to address their concerns, explaining the reasons behind his arrest. To reach everyone, he has written a letter, which AAP workers will distribute door-to-door till October 29. In his letter to Delhiites, Kejriwal has explained the political motivations behind his arrest, accusing BJP of attempting to derail Delhi’s progress and denying any involvement in corruption. He argues that his work for the people has threatened the political dominance of his opponents. This letter forms a key part of AAP’s statewide outreach campaign, which is set to continue until October 29. Thousands of AAP volunteers will visit homes across the city, distributing the letter to address citizens’ concerns and answer their questions.
Further in the letter, Kejriwal contrasted AAP’s achievements in Delhi with the 22 BJP-ruled states, including Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, highlighting Delhi’s free electricity, 24/7 power, and better schools and hospitals. He claimed that the BJP’s fear of AAP’s growing national influence, especially after its victory in Punjab, led to his arrest. Kejriwal also pointed out BJP’s attempts to stall Delhi’s progress through the lieutenant governor, delaying projects like mohalla clinics and CCTV installation. He emotionally shared how his medication was withheld in jail, risking his health, but credited his survival to God, public support, and the judiciary. Kejriwal has revealed that during his imprisonment, key projects like road repairs, sewer cleaning, and hospital services were deliberately stalled. Upon his release, he resumed these efforts, assuring the public that services would continue. He accused BJP of planning to seize power in Delhi, not to improve governance but to undo AAP’s achievements, particularly free electricity. He warned that if BJP wins, Delhi could return to long power cuts, deteriorating schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, and essential services like free water, bus travel for women, and the Teerth Yatra could be stopped.
Kejriwal emphasised that his and his colleagues’ arrests were sacrifices made for the people of Delhi, asserting that they were jailed for providing free services like quality schools and healthcare. He expressed no regrets, stating their lives are dedicated to serving the country. His main concern is ensuring the progress made in the last 10 years, particularly in education, healthcare, and public services, continues. He has urged Delhiites to protect these achievements with their vote in the upcoming elections, expressing confidence that they will re-elect the AAP government to maintain these initiatives. He praised Delhi’s reforms, including free electricity, water, and healthcare, and called on citizens to support this mission for the future of the city.
On the other hand, the Delhi BJP has criticised the Kejriwal-led AAP government for the worsening conditions in the national capital. Responding to Kejriwal’s letter, Delhi BJP Secretary and MP Bansuri Swaraj remarked that while Kejriwal claims achievements, the only thing unprecedented about his government is its failure, nepotism, and corruption.
She stated that the upcoming Assembly elections will offer Delhiites a choice between Kejriwal’s model—where electricity costs range from Rs 9 to Rs 18 per unit, water is contaminated and scarce, substandard medicines are distributed in government hospitals, and few schools offer science and commerce—and the BJP’s model of cohesive development. She promised cheaper electricity, clean Yamuna water, accessible generic medicines, and upgraded schools offering science and commerce within one year under BJP rule.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Congress, led by President Devender Yadav, echoed BJP’s criticisms of Kejriwal, emphasising that his five-month jail term related to the liquor scam reflects his corruption. Yadav accused Kejriwal of writing an open letter to Delhi residents, claiming innocence while failing to explain why he scrapped the corrupt liquor policy after a probe was ordered. He pointed out that Kejriwal’s arrest came after the Delhi High Court denied him protection, indicating credible evidence against him. Yadav labelled Kejriwal’s narrative of victimhood as a blatant lie, asserting that he had not delivered benefits to the people in his 10 years in power. He highlighted the city’s deteriorating infrastructure, such as broken roads, clogged sewers, and poor public services, attributing these failures to Kejriwal’s focus on political ambition rather than governance. Yadav criticised the scrapped liquor policy, which he claimed was formulated during the COVID-19 crisis for profit rather than public welfare, and dismissed Kejriwal’s attempts to redeem his image as ineffective among the electorate.