In a revealing conversation with The Indian Express, Aam Aadmi Party's Delhi President Saurabh Bharadwaj exposed what he called systematic failures and manipulations by the BJP-led Delhi government, while also addressing AAP's national expansion strategy and serious allegations of electoral malpractice.
AAP's National Expansion Strategy
Responding to questions about AAP leaders focusing on states beyond Delhi, Bharadwaj clarified that this was part of a deliberate national expansion plan. Arvind Kejriwal is primarily working on Punjab, Goa, and Gujarat, while other senior leaders have been assigned specific states. The party president emphasized that this doesn't mean abandoning Delhi but rather growing the party's presence across India.
Bharadwaj pointed to Gujarat as a particular success story, claiming that AAP's growing influence in rural Gujarat has forced the BJP to replace its entire cabinet in the state. He expressed confidence that AAP could puncture the much-touted Gujarat model narrative if they continue their current trajectory.
Exposing Delhi Governance Failures
The AAP leader launched a scathing attack on the BJP's Delhi government, accusing them of fabricating data and creating false narratives about their achievements. Bharadwaj stated that English-speaking audiences had bought into the narrative that having one party in power from top to bottom would solve governance issues, but reality has proven otherwise.
He detailed how the BJP government has been manipulating air quality data by planning to install new monitoring stations in forested areas like the ridge and university campuses where pollution levels are naturally lower. Doctors across Delhi are reporting worsening respiratory problems among patients, contrary to government claims of improved air quality, Bharadwaj revealed.
Yamuna Cleaning Exposed as Theater
Bharadwaj made explosive claims about the Yamuna cleaning efforts, alleging that the BJP government created a fake, clean Yamuna at Vasudev Ghat specifically for a planned PM visit during Chhath Puja. He explained how authorities diverted irrigation water from Hathnikund Barrage into Yamuna temporarily to dilute pollutants, creating the illusion of a cleaner river.
The AAP leader described how Wazirabad Treatment Plant rising mains were punctured just five days before Chhath Puja to pipe water to this fabricated Yamuna site. While ordinary Purvanchalis had to bathe in polluted water, special arrangements were made for the Prime Minister's potential visit, which ultimately didn't happen after the manipulations were exposed.
Organized Vote Deletion Across India
Bharadwaj supported Rahul Gandhi's allegations of vote chori, stating that organized vote deletion is happening nationwide. He shared his personal experience of losing his Delhi constituency despite being confident of victory, claiming he had evidence of mass voter deletions in his area.
The AAP leader revealed that in the New Delhi constituency alone, approximately 42,000 votes were deleted between 2020 and 2024. He stated that many affected voters have come forward claiming they never applied for deletion, and the Election Commission has failed to investigate properly despite multiple complaints.
Bharadwaj criticized the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, calling it a farce. He pointed to instances where BJP leaders voted multiple times in different states and special trains were arranged to transport Bihar voters during elections as evidence that the system is being manipulated.
Future Strategy and Challenges
Despite the challenges, Bharadwaj expressed optimism about AAP's future. He acknowledged that dealing with vote manipulation requires creating a mass movement rather than just making it an election issue. The party continues to expose what it calls the BJP's failures in Delhi governance while expanding its presence in other states.
Bharadwaj concluded that the only real solution to these systemic problems is forming a non-BJP government at the Centre, as state governments opposing the BJP face constant obstruction in their development work.
