The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has demanded ₹10 lakh compensation for the family of the auto driver swept away in a Mehrauli drain last week, pointing to the BJP government’s abandonment of its promises. AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar said the BJP’s pledge of ₹10 lakh insurance for auto drivers remains unfulfilled even after eight months, while the government has failed to recover the driver’s body or meet his grieving family.
Addressing a press conference, AAP MLAfrom Kondli Kuldeep Kumar stated, “It has been almost eight months since the BJP came to power in Delhi, yet not a single promise made to the people during the elections has been fulfilled. The BJP came to power by making false promises. All so-called four engines of the BJP in Delhi have failed. This government is limited to photo shoots and reels; it has no agenda for the development of Delhi.”
Referring to the tragic incident that took place in Mehrauli on 30 September, Kuldeep Kumar said, “After a brief spell of rain, an auto driver was swept away by the strong flow of water in a drain. This is the first time that a person has been washed away in a drain after such light rainfall in Delhi. The sad part is that even after six days, the BJP government has failed to find the driver’s body. Till date, the family has not received the body, nor has any assistance been provided.”
Expressing anger at the government’s apathy, he continued, “Neither CM Rekha Gupta, nor any minister, MLA, or public representative has visited the bereaved family yet. The entire BJP government is busy in theatrics. The deceased was a poor auto driver who supported his family through daily earnings. The BJP deceived him with false promises. This accident happened because the drains were not desilted and due to mismanagement. Despite the Centre, Delhi government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Lieutenant Governor all being under the BJP, they have not been able to recover the body even after six days. Shame on such a government.”
Holding up the BJP’s ‘Viksit Dilli Sankalp Patra 2025’, Kuldeep Kumar said, “The manifesto mentions seven benefits for auto drivers, including a ₹10 lakh cover under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Bima Yojana from 17 September 2025. The Prime Minister’s birthday has passed, but the scheme has not been implemented. When will this family receive the ₹10 lakh insurance cover? Other promises such as scholarships for the higher education of auto drivers’ children, housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for those without private homes, stands in colonies and markets, and electricity recharge assistance for e-rickshaw drivers — none of these have been fulfilled.”
Comparing the two administrations, he added, “During Arvind Kejriwal’s government, the entire administration stood with the affected families in the event of an accident. When a person died after drowning in a drain in Ghazipur, the Aam Aadmi Party ensured ₹20 lakh compensation to the family. The BJP should at least fulfil its own promises.”
Demanding justice for the deceased’s family, Kuldeep Kumar asserted, “The government must immediately provide ₹10 lakh insurance cover and appropriate compensation to the family. Action should be taken against the officers responsible for the death caused by the MCD’s failure to clean the drain. The body should be recovered and handed over to the family at once. BJP ministers and the Chief Minister should show some compassion, because a man has died and his children and family must be in distress.”
Warning the BJP against falsehoods, he said, “The BJP should stop publishing fake manifestos with Prime Minister Modi’s photo and stop serving lies and hollow promises to the people. Delhi’s auto drivers know how to make and unmake governments.”
