In a heartfelt gesture of appreciation and solidarity, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal hosted a special interaction with auto drivers at his residence today. The event celebrated the long-standing bond between the AAP and the auto drivers, who have played an integral role in the city’s public transport system.
Speaking candidly, Arvind Kejriwal reflected on his enduring connection with the auto driver community, reaffirming his commitment to their welfare and dignity. From transformative reforms to addressing their grievances, the AAP Convenor highlighted how his government has worked tirelessly to empower this hardworking group and improve their quality of life.
The gathering served as a platform for auto drivers to share their experiences, voice their concerns, and express their gratitude for initiatives that have brought meaningful change to their lives, including the abolition of unjust fees, enhanced infrastructure, and the launch of welfare schemes like Farishtey Yojana. This interaction not only strengthened the trust between the AAP and the auto driver community but also underscored the vision of a government that prioritizes the needs of its citizens.
While addressing auto drivers at his residence, Arvind Kejriwal said, “I remember in November 2012 when our party was formed. In 2013, no one expected the Aam Aadmi Party to win even a single seat in Delhi. The media used to mock us, saying we’d lose our deposits. They would say maybe Kejriwal will save his deposit, but everyone else will lose theirs. They didn’t think Kejriwal could even win. Back then, some other government was in power in Delhi. I also remember the kind of negative propaganda spread about auto drivers in those days. Society used to say all sorts of things about auto drivers. Even today, I remember calling for a meeting of auto drivers at Ramlila Maidan, and thousands of you came. I haven’t forgotten. My relationship with auto drivers goes back a long way. After that, we held many more meetings, including one in Burari. During our first meeting at Ramlila Maidan, I said from the stage, ‘If auto drivers are robbers and thieves, why don’t they have mansions and palaces? Why do they still live in slums or one-room homes? Why don’t they have enough to eat? If someone in their family falls ill, they don’t have money for treatment. They can’t afford to educate their children. They struggle to make ends meet. So how can they be robbers and thieves?’”
Arvind Kejriwal said, “At Ramlila Maidan, I stood with the auto drivers and said they are victims of the system. The system is such that even the police beat them with batons, and sometimes the ‘No. 5’ officers harass them. At the end of the month, they have nothing left. I said back then that when our government comes to power, we will change the system to one where an auto driver can work honestly and support their family. At that time, many people told me I was making a big mistake and didn’t understand politics. They warned that if I stood with auto drivers, the people of Delhi would turn against me. But I told them I would explain to the people of Delhi, tell them these auto drivers are poor and victims, and ask them to stand with them. That was 2013, and now it’s 2024. Eleven years have passed. I have not left the side of auto drivers. Whether in power or out, I have stood with you.”
He continued, “Our relationship isn’t a superficial one; it’s a connection from heart to heart. It’s not based on just a few favors. Since our government came to power, the people no longer call auto drivers robbers or thieves. Those days are long gone. I also remember that under the previous government, auto drivers would strike every third or fourth day—for fares or other reasons. But it’s been 11 years, and not a single strike has happened. I’ve done so much work for you that I can’t even remember all of it.”
The AAP Convenor mentioned, “During the pandemic, Delhi was the only government in the country that remembered auto drivers and deposited ₹5,000 twice into your accounts. No other government cared about auto drivers. Delhi is the only place where the Aam Aadmi Party gave respect to auto drivers. Now even the BJP has started remembering auto drivers. They never invited you before, not even in Gujarat. When I went to Gujarat and dined at auto drivers’ homes, they started remembering you. If I don’t dine at auto drivers’ homes in every state, you can change my name. Now they are inviting auto drivers to their offices. Just wait—by election time, their big leaders will visit your homes, eat meals, and even spend nights playing carrom with your children. Today, not only do Delhiites respect auto drivers, but even top BJP leaders respect you.”
Arvind Kejriwal added, “Earlier, the ‘No. 5’ officers harassed you a lot, but now they don’t. The police used to trouble you a lot, but now that has stopped. We waived the fees for DIMTS, SIM, and fitness tests. Road trials for meters are gone. Classes for driving licenses and fitness tests have been discontinued. Permit fees were reduced from ₹1,000 to ₹500. The fee for address changes on RCs was ₹500 per month, now it’s ₹100. We’ve done many such things. We’ve built schools, and many of your children have become teachers and engineers, while others are studying. You get free treatment in hospitals. We brought the ‘Farishtey Yojana.’”
Arvind Kejriwal said, “Other governments keep lamenting about deficits, but I’ve never done that. I’ve never said that the Delhi government is in deficit. I’ve never run out of money to work for you. I’ve done all the work for the public. We’ll continue working for you. Our relationship is unique. Wherever I go to contest elections, the first people I remember are auto drivers. I take them along. In 2013, you helped us a lot. In 2020, you helped us again. Even now, you’re helping a lot. Talk to every passenger. Your way of connecting with people is better than ours because the common man understands the common language.”
Arvind Kejriwal concluded, “I deeply believe in the Almighty. In the last two years, these people have troubled our party a lot. They jailed Manish Sisodia and even tried to jail me. But they couldn’t find a single penny. If we had done something wrong, they would have found the money. They claim ₹100 crore was stolen. Where did ₹100 crore vanish? Something must have been done with it—land bought, something built. Even the Supreme Court is tired of asking them where the money went. They’ve conducted at least 500 raids but found nothing. It’s all nonsense. They want to destabilize our government. Today, some auto drivers have invited me to their homes. I can’t visit everyone’s home, but I’ll go to one. I’ll let you know, and the rest can gather there that day. Spending time with you today felt wonderful, like sitting with my family.”
During the interaction, an auto driver spoke emotionally with Arvind Kejriwal, saying, “Earlier, we used to earn money driving autos, but the respect we’ve received after your government came into power is something we can never repay. I can’t believe I’m standing in front of you today. I pray to the Almighty that your government always remains in Delhi. Earlier, ₹1,420 was charged under DIMTS at the Burari authority, but since your government came in, that has been stopped. Similarly, ₹600 was charged for fitness, but your government abolished that as well. For this, I sincerely thank you. I pray that you win all 70 seats in Delhi.”
Another auto driver became very emotional while speaking. He said, “I live in Burari and support my family by driving an auto. Earlier, the schools in Burari were in terrible condition, but after your government came, new buildings were constructed. Under the previous government, there were only two school days a week in government schools. My daughter used to say, ‘Papa, the school is very bad, and we only have two classes a week. How will I continue my education like this?’ But after your government came, new buildings were built, and now education is much better. Today, my daughter is a teacher in Kendriya Vidyalaya. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Because of you, our lives have improved. I hope your government keeps coming back and spreads across the country.”
During the session, another auto driver invited Arvind Kejriwal to his home, saying, “I invite you to my home for a meal. Through your government’s Farishtey Yojana, we have helped many people. Earlier, if someone had an accident on the road, we were afraid to help, thinking the police would implicate us if we took them to the hospital. But now, there’s no fear. If someone is in need, we immediately take them to the hospital.”
Another auto driver shared, “In our colony, no one looked back after laying down the water and sewer pipelines. Our condition went from bad to worse. There were insects in the water we got. But since your government came in, the water is clean. We now have proper sewer facilities. Women have safe toilet arrangements, and they feel secure. Please do come to my home. It is the house of your younger brother.”
Another auto driver said, “Earlier, I used to drive a rented auto, which was a financial burden because I had to pay the owner and manage my household expenses with great difficulty. But when your 45-day government came into power for the first time, you issued an order that those driving rented autos should be given their own vehicles. I was one of them. Since then, I’ve had my own auto. I want to sincerely thank you because, because of you, I’m living a life of dignity and earning an honest livelihood. Recently, you announced subsidies for electric vehicles. I applied for my father, and he got it.”
