Bringing a fresh wave of development to Aman Vihar, Kiradi, the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) MCD government on Thursday laid the foundation stone of a new community building—signalling its continued commitment to upliftment, even from the Opposition. Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Delhi Assembly, Atishi, who led the ceremony, took the opportunity to contrast AAP’s grassroots governance with the BJP’s recent track record, declaring, “Even from the Opposition, AAP will not let development stop.”
The senior AAP leader reminded residents of how, under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership, essential services like schools, mohalla clinics, and sewer lines reached neglected colonies once dismissed as mere “vote banks.” Slamming the BJP’s short tenure so far, the Delhi Assembly LoP pointed out, “Within two months, Delhi has been pushed into misery—power cuts have returned, school fees have skyrocketed—but the people still consider AAP their true voice.” The event was attended by Mayor Mahesh Kumar Khichi, Deputy Mayor Ravinder Bhardwaj, MLA Anil Jha, and local councillors.
Senior AAP leader and Delhi Assembly LoP, Atishi, laid the foundation stone of a community hall/baraat ghar in Aman Vihar Ward-41, extending her congratulations to the people of the area. Addressing the gathering, she said, “A baraat ghar may appear to be just a building made of bricks and cement, but in truth, it is the heart of a community – a space where families from across the neighborhood come together.”
Atishi underlined how a lack of community halls often forces people to rely on expensive banquet halls. “When a locality doesn’t have a community hall, we end up knocking on many doors — sometimes requesting owners of banquet halls to lower their rates. When they refuse, we go to MLAs or councillors and request them to make a call, hoping they might intervene. Isn’t this what happens?”
The Delhi Assembly LoP added, “Every family faces both joyful and sorrowful moments — birthdays, weddings, death rituals. A baraat ghar or community hall serves as the heartbeat of such shared occasions.” Highlighting the importance of civic participation, Atishi said, “If development is happening in our area today — if a baraat ghar is being built, schools are coming up, sewer lines are being laid, and roads are being constructed — the credit doesn’t just go to AAP representatives. It belongs to the people who voted wisely. That is the power of democracy. If we vote for the right people, not swayed by greed or fear, the benefit of pressing that one button on election day lasts five years.”
Reflecting on the Kirari’s past, Atishi stated, “Kirari is home to migrants from Purvanchal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar. Just 10 years ago, this area was made of informal colonies. Politicians would seek votes but later refuse development, saying these are unauthorized colonies. But you made Arvind Kejriwal your Chief Minister — the one who promised dignity to every mother, sister, and brother living in such colonies. That’s the power of your vote.”
She recalled the dismal state of education in the area in earlier years: “In 2015-16, when we would visit this area, the condition of schools was dire. Most schools were located in just a few areas like Nithari and Mubarakpur and were meant for the entire constituency. The buildings were in shambles — dirty toilets, no drinking water, broken doors, children sitting on the floor. That was the state of government schools in Kirari. But look at them now. Just this January, I inaugurated two schools in Prem Nagar. Their buildings are better than many big private schools in Delhi.”
Explaining how this transformation came about, Atishi said, “This change is the result of your vote — whether it’s the Mohalla Clinics, the massive sewer project in Kirari, or the inconvenience caused due to road digging for infrastructure work. Three new sewer pumping stations have opened, a new bus depot is being built, and a fire station is coming up. This is the development Kirari has seen in the last ten years.”
Thanking the residents, the Delhi Assembly LoP said, “You placed your trust in AAP again in the February 2025 elections. Some among you may have had doubts afterward — wondering if now that AAP is in the Opposition, will work still happen in our area? Will our problems still be solved? Will development continue? But today, with the launch of this Rs 2 crore baraat ghar, those doubts should vanish.”
She asserted, “Whether we are in government or in Opposition, AAP representatives will work for you. Even when we were in power, we fought to get things done. And now, from the Opposition, we continue to fight for you. We will never break your trust.”
Atishi further criticized the current BJP-led administration, stating, “Go to any part of Delhi today— it’s not even been two months since BJP came to power and look at the situation. Are there no power cuts happening?”
She added, “I am not the Chief Minister today, not even the Power Minister. I am in the Opposition. Yet, I continue to get messages and calls from across Delhi — sometimes at midnight or 1 am— people saying their electricity is gone and begging me to tweet. They believe that if I speak up, power will be restored. Because they know that no one else is listening. Even today, Delhiites trust not the BJP government, but the AAP Opposition to solve their problems.”
Atishi warned that the crisis has only just begun, “Even though it’s been less than two months since BJP took charge, people are already reeling — whether it’s electricity, water, or increased private school fees. The common person in Delhi is already crying out for relief.”
She shared her recent experience from Janakpuri constituency, “A few days ago, I visited Janakpuri — the constituency of the current Power Minister. Women there told me they are facing 2-3 hour power cuts daily. They said, ‘Madam, we made a mistake. We were misled by the BJP and voted for them. But in just two months, we realize what a mistake that was.’”
They now understand, she said, “How well Arvind Kejriwal’s government functioned even in the most difficult circumstances. There were no power cuts during his tenure.”
Atishi concluded by reaffirming her commitment to the people, “You voted for AAP, you elected our councillors and MLAs. We stood by you before and we will continue to stand by you. The development of Kirari is our responsibility. Whatever work has happened in the last 10 years — we promise to do even more in the next five. That is my commitment to you all.”
