Celebrating the occasion of Vishwakarma Diwas Puja with the citizens of Delhi, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal reiterated his commitment to the city’s development. The AAP Convenor was taking part in the celebrations in Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar, on Saturday, where he shared the achievements and future goals of the Delhi Government.
Addressing a large gathering, Arvind Kejriwal highlighted improvements in essential services, infrastructure, and public welfare initiatives, emphasizing his focus on serving the people above political ambitions. Senior AAP Leader Satyendar Jain was also present at the event, along with MLAs Dilip Pandey, Sanjeev Jha, Ajesh Yadav & Pawan Sharma, and State OBC Wing President Ravinder Baliyan.
Talking about his memories of celebrating Vishwakarma Diwas Puja, Arvind Kejriwal said, “I am also a mechanical engineer. Before working in the Income Tax, I used to work at Tata Steel. While working as an engineer, we used to celebrate Vishwakarma Puja in the company every year. Those old days come to mind. Today, I am here with you for the third or fourth time. I had come once in 2013-14, before contesting the elections. Our government was formed in 2015, and I had come to this same ground. It was all undeveloped at that time. That day, you all requested to develop it fully and I did. I did what I promised because I am a common man like you.
Reflecting on his journey over the last decade, he said, “Ten-twelve years ago, nobody in this country knew who Kejriwal was. I must have done some good deeds in my past life, which is why you all gave me so much respect and entrusted me with the responsibility of all of Delhi. For the past ten years, I have been working with complete honesty. I am not a politician; I don’t know how to do politics, which is why all these parties and their leaders are after me. I am an engineer and well-educated, having studied from the country’s best institute. I know how to work. In these ten years, I have only focused on work, not politics.”
He added, “I haven’t come here to abuse anyone or criticize any other leader or party. I don’t know how to abuse, nor did my parents teach me that. I have never abused anyone.”
He went on to revisit his administration’s strides in ensuring affordable, reliable electricity and water services. “Ten years ago, you entrusted me with Delhi’s responsibility. I still remember that back then, when I went for election campaigns, people in every lane and neighborhood would bring their electricity and water bills to me. People received bills worth thousands of rupees. Even in small homes with just a fan, light, fridge, and TV, they would receive bills of 8-10 thousand rupees, and water bills of 5-10 thousand rupees. People would ask whether they should pay these bills or take care of their children. I had said at that time, ‘You don’t need to pay these bills. Just let my government be formed, and I will waive all the bills.’ And after forming the government, I waived all the outstanding electricity and water bills of that time and made electricity and water free.”
Arvind Kejriwal acknowledged recent issues with inflated water bills and pledged to resolve them, urging residents to support his government’s re-election for continued relief and benefits. “Recently, I heard that when I was in jail, they messed things up behind my back and sent you massive water bills again. Many people received incorrect and inflated bills. Those who received incorrect water bills, you don’t need to pay them. Just let my government be formed again in February, and I will waive everyone’s water bills, and you will start getting zero bills for water, just like before.”
He also underscored Delhi’s transformation into a city with reliable, round-the-clock electricity—a rare achievement in India. “Ten years ago, during Sheila Dikshit’s government, there used to be power cuts lasting eight hours. The lights would stay out the entire night. People had to buy inverters and generators and replace their batteries every year. We have ensured 24-hour electricity in Delhi. Satyendar Jain and I went door-to-door, getting transformers and wires changed. Ensuring 24-hour power in Delhi wasn’t easy. During Sheila Dikshit’s time, Delhi’s demand was 5,500 megawatts; today, it is 8,500 megawatts. But even then, the power doesn’t go out. This remarkable arrangement was possible because I am an engineer and educated. This is the advantage of electing an educated person,” he said.
Arvind Kejriwal further said that no government has worked as much for unauthorized colonies as AAP has. “We built 6,200 kilometers of roads in unauthorized colonies; many streets are still left, and I am working on them too. In just ten years, it’s impossible to clear all the accumulated waste of the last 75 years. We’ve built many streets, and many more are on the way. We have laid 10,000 kilometers of water pipelines and 7,500 kilometers of sewer lines in these colonies. This is not a small feat. We have built 10,000 kilometers of drains. The remaining ones will be completed in the next three years. Whatever work is left, I will get it all done.”
Reflecting on reforms in healthcare and education, Arvind Kejriwal praised the positive impact of Delhi’s revamped schools and hospitals, including the establishment of neighborhood clinics offering free, accessible healthcare. He said, “The schools for our children have improved, hospitals are better, and we’ve established Mohalla Clinics. Just a few days ago, I was watching Prime Minister Modi saying that Kejriwal did not implement Ayushman Bharat. They have Ayushman Bharat implemented in Uttar Pradesh, but patients from there still come to Delhi for treatment. People from Delhi don’t go to Uttar Pradesh. If this scheme is so good, why do people from Uttar Pradesh need to come to Delhi for treatment? Delhi government hospitals like GTB, GB Pant, and LNJP serve a majority of patients from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. We welcome them and are proud that our healthcare system is good enough to treat everyone. But if Ayushman Bharat is so effective, then why do people from UP and Haryana need to come here?”
Talking about AAP’s strides towards urban development in Delhi, he added, “Before our government in Delhi, only 60 flyovers were built in 65 years. But in nine years, we have built 38 flyovers all over Delhi. Previously, Delhi had only 5,000 buses. Now we have purchased 7,700 high-quality AC buses for Delhiites, and bus travel is free for all women.”
Looking ahead, Arvind Kejriwal emphasized, “Now the elections are coming in Delhi. Vote for the party which has worked here. Don’t vote for the one who hasn’t done anything. I’m not saying you should vote for me; just see for yourself. The BJP and its central government is also in Delhi, and so is the AAP and the Delhi government. You can see whether the central government has done anything for Delhi. The central government has infinite funds, so much power, and they have the Lieutenant Governor (LG) on their side. I have listed so many works I’ve done. Just list one thing the central government has done for Delhiites. Did they control inflation, or did they open any school or college for your children? If the central government has done any of this, go and vote for them. But if they haven’t, they have no right to ask for votes.”
Arvind Kejriwal then mentioned that the BJP held power in MCD for 15 years, yet they accomplished nothing but corruption. “Delhiites got fed up and voted for the Aam Aadmi Party. In the two years that AAP has held MCD, sanitation workers are now getting their salaries on time, and there haven’t been any strikes. Though garbage is still an issue in some places, we are working on resolving that too.”
He urged voters to evaluate candidates based on tangible work, not political rhetoric. Challenging the BJP, Arvind Kejriwal said, “I’ve listed all my achievements—let them mention just one thing they’ve done for Delhi. The BJP has governments in 22 states across the country. Show me one state where they provide 24-hour electricity or free electricity. In Delhi, electricity is free. Ask your relatives in Uttar Pradesh or Bihar if they get continuous and affordable electricity. If you mistakenly vote for them, you’ll face frequent power cuts in Delhi too.”
Arvind Kejriwal concluded with a renewed commitment to Delhi, pledging to further improve services and infrastructure. He encouraged citizens to retain their trust in his administration, stating, “I went to jail for you. Why did they put me in jail? Because I’m working, and they want to stop my work. If I have to, I am ready to even give my life for you. I only need your support, blessings, and encouragement. With you by my side, I am prepared to fight against any force.”
At the same event, Senior AAP leader Satyendar Jain stated that Arvind Kejriwal resides in the hearts of all Delhiites. He said, “When our government first came into power, Arvind Kejriwal said that electricity bills would be halved and water bills would be waived. Back then, people asked where the money would come from. Now they say that he has done it without spending any money. The BJP keeps saying that they will stop all these facilities. The BJP says that they will end free electricity and water, free education and healthcare, mohalla clinics, and all the free services.”
He added, “But they will only stop these if they come to power. We must never let the BJP come to power. Everything that Arvind Kejriwal has promised has been fulfilled to date. Arvind Kejriwal has accomplished things that seemed impossible and has also delivered on what the public expected. Now Arvind Kejriwal is back. The commitments he made to the people are being fulfilled, and they will continue to be fulfilled.”
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