Arvind Kejriwal: People will vote for kaam ki rajneeti

The AAP supremo and former Delhi Chief Minister on the importance of the upcoming Delhi election, his party’s prospects, and his vision for Delhi.

Arvind Kejriwal addressing the the party’s district-level officials, in New Delhi on November 17, 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI

It has been difficult to get an interview with Arvind Kejriwal. Not only is it a question of time, Kejriwal is also wary of “mainstream” media, a fact that he admits when we finally meet. After a postponement, the interview is set for 9:00 pm, and when we get to his current residence at 5 Ferozeshah Road, Kejriwal has just returned from a long day of campaigning for what is being seen as a make-or-break election for both him and his party.

But Kejriwal himself does not display any such anxiety. He enters the drawing room with a smile and a slight spring in his step, visibly tired but upbeat.

As we talk, his social media team calls every now and then, relating tweets that make him smile. He asks them to draft a quote tweet “that I will check later”. Hearing the news that Dhruv Rathee’s upload of Unbreakable, a 30-minute documentary about his arrest (whose screening was stopped by the Delhi Police), has garnered 8.5 million views on YouTube, his smile widens. “By stopping it, they achieved just the opposite,” he says.

In the freewheeling conversation that follows, Kejriwal says that he is confident of winning Delhi a third time. According to him, people will vote his government back in because of its “kaam ki rajneeti” (politics of delivery). He adds: “Delhi is the only State with 24x7 free electricity. Have you seen government schools like ours? Or mohalla clinics?”

When asked about the corruption charges against him, he says that if they were true, the Aam Aadmi Party would not have to resort to crowdfunding. The frequent run-ins with the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) do not appear to faze him—“we will manage”—nor do the multiple cases against him and his party members, but when he talks of his plans to counter the BJP, Kejriwal’s voice takes on an edge. Excerpts:

It has been more than a decade since you entered politics and since the AAP burst on to the Delhi political scene. What motivated you to give up a lucrative job and plunge into the uncertain world of activism and then politics?

During my job in the income tax department, I saw how entrenched corruption had become in our system. I started Parivartan [an NGO] to fight corruption because I felt I couldn’t do much to address it as a civil servant. Eventually, I left the IRS [Indian Revenue Service] because I felt my calling was to fight injustice in all forms. I worked for a decade in the slums of Sunder Nagri. The plunge into politics happened suddenly. When the India Against Corruption [IAC] movement failed to convince politicians to pass a strong Jan Lokpal Bill, they challenged us to win elections and make our own policies. If the UPA [United Progressive Alliance] government had accepted the IAC’s demands, I would never have entered politics.

How did your wife, Sunita, and your parents react to the decision? How are they coping now with the immense public and political pressure on you?

Sunita and my parents have always been my biggest pillars of support. They’ve stood by me through every challenge. Last year was particularly hard for them when I was jailed for five months in a completely fake case. It was heartbreaking for them, especially when even my medicines were stopped, something no family should have to worry about. I have immense admiration for Sunita’s strength and resilience in those difficult times. She not only managed the household but also took on a huge responsibility—coordinating with party leaders and volunteers and even stepping out to make public appearances on my behalf. Her courage and determination kept our entire team motivated. My family’s unwavering support gives me the strength to continue this fight for the people.

Tell us a bit about your childhood and family. Can your activism or decision to join politics be traced to any incidents from your early years?

I had a simple, middle-class upbringing in Hisar, Haryana, where I studied up to the 12th standard. Back then, I had no interest in politics or activism. Like most kids, I focussed on studies and getting into a good college. I worked hard and managed to crack IIT-JEE and secured admission to IIT Kharagpur. After graduating, I worked at Tata Steel for three years. During that time, I volunteered with an organisation in Kolkata to help those in need. That experience changed me deeply. For the first time, I understood the immense satisfaction and purpose that comes from serving others. That phase of my life planted the seeds of wanting to contribute to society in a more meaningful way.

How challenging were the five months you spent in prison? How has it changed you as a person and politician?

Those five months were extremely challenging. They did everything they could to break me mentally and physically. I was kept in solitary confinement the entire time—conditions usually meant for hardened criminals. For over two weeks, they even stopped my insulin, despite knowing I am diabetic and need insulin four times a day. It was only after I approached the courts that it was resumed.

In politics, we may have opponents but not enemies. The way I was treated was nothing short of inhuman. But during those dark days, I found strength in reading the Bhagavad Gita. I read it multiple times, and it gave me immense clarity and inner peace. The prayers and support of crores of people also kept me going.

The experience has made me stronger and more determined. I knew that the truth was on my side and that sooner or later I would be free. It has reaffirmed my commitment to continue fighting for what is right, no matter the odds.

The Delhi government has added nearly 2,000 electric buses to its fleet. Here, buses parked at the Sarai Kale Khan bus stand before a flag-off ceremony on February 14, 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI

Who or what has been your inspiration in your journey as an activist and later as a politician?

I have been deeply inspired by the lives of many of our freedom fighters, particularly Babasaheb Ambedkar. He faced immense challenges, including poverty and discrimination, yet he dedicated his life to fighting for equality and justice. His work in drafting the Constitution has been instrumental in shaping our democracy and safeguarding the rights of every citizen. I also draw inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi and Bhagat Singh, whose courage and sacrifices for the country remain timeless examples of true leadership. Even today, I find motivation in ordinary people who work to bring change in their communities. Their determination reminds me why this fight for justice and fairness is so important.

Looking back at the IAC movement of 2011, in what ways did it impact the country’s politics?

The movement gave millions of Indians a voice against the rampant corruption that had seeped into every corner of our political system. It was a turning point, where people from all walks of life came together to demand accountability and transparency from those in power.

Beyond giving birth to the AAP, the IAC movement remains a powerful reminder of what ordinary citizens can achieve when they unite and raise their voices against injustice. It redefined the relationship between the people and the political system, showing that public power is stronger than any political machinery when exercised with conviction and purpose.

The IAC was your springboard into politics. Do you believe that the AAP has taken that anti-corruption narrative ahead?

Absolutely, and in multiple ways. The AAP has fundamentally challenged the old formula of “satta se paisa, paise se satta” [money from power and power from money] that traditional parties have followed for decades. We’ve proven that elections in India can be fought and won without relying on massive sums of money. For us, “kaam ki rajneeti” takes precedence.

Our commitment to honesty has been central to achieving transformational changes. In Delhi, we’ve redefined what’s possible in government schools and healthcare systems. Across much of the country, politicians control the education and health mafias, ensuring that governments deliberately fail to provide good services so that even the poorest are forced to turn to expensive private options. We refused to follow that path.

We’ve also been pioneers in tackling corruption at the systemic level. We introduced doorstep delivery of government services so that people do not have to run around and face middlemen. We even shut down RTOs [regional transport offices], which had become notorious centres of corruption. These initiatives demonstrate that honest governance isn’t just an ideal—it can deliver real, tangible benefits to the people.

Your early AAP colleagues are your bitter critics today. Why did you fall out? Would your fight be easier today if they had remained with you?

Whoever left did so for their own reasons, and I respect their choices. I have only good memories of the time we spent together and the work we accomplished as a team. I genuinely wish them well and hope that, someday, they might return to join us in this journey.

At the same time, many remarkable individuals have joined the AAP over the years. Every political party evolves, and people come and go—it’s a natural process. What matters is that the mission and values we started with remain strong, and we continue to fight for the people with the same determination.

The past two and a half years have been tumultuous for your party, with the BJP relentless in its attacks. Why did it pick corruption as its weapon? Have the allegations, especially relating to the excise policy scam, damaged the image of the AAP and its leaders, including yourself?

It was clear that they targeted our greatest strength: our honesty. They aimed to create doubt in the minds of the people about the integrity of the AAP and its leaders. However, now that this episode is behind us, it has only strengthened our image. Despite hundreds of raids and all the top investigative agencies working on the case, not a single rupee of corruption was found in the so-called Delhi excise scam. Yet, several of our senior leaders were jailed, purely on baseless allegations, without trial or conviction.

This has not damaged our image; in fact, it has only generated more sympathy and support for the AAP. People see through these tactics and know that we remain committed to honesty and public service.

Chief Minister Atishi at an exhibition by students of the Delhi government’s schools of specialised excellence, on December 21, 2024. The AAP plans to open more such schools to promote the artistic talents of students from marginalised sections. | Photo Credit: RITIK JAIN/ANI

Delhi is where the AAP began its electoral journey. You came up with the “Delhi model of governance”. What does this model stand for?

The Delhi model of governance prioritises spending on human capital the most. People are our greatest asset, and unless we provide every citizen, rich or poor, with quality education and healthcare, how can we aspire to become a developed nation?

We are the only government across India that invests nearly 40 per cent of its budget in education and health. We also believe in providing basic amenities free of cost to the “aam aadmi”, such as water, electricity, and bus travel for women. This allows them to live a life of dignity besides giving them relief from inflation. This is sound economics too because these transfers increase the purchasing power of the people and create demand in the economy. And only if there is demand, will there be growth and investment.

Economists refer to this as bottom-up or trickle-up approach. This is opposite to the failed trickle-down theory of growth being followed in our country for several decades, where governments focus spending only on rich industrialists hoping that their prosperity will trickle down to the masses.

Speaking of ideology, you have often proactively taken pro-Hinduism decisions. For example, extending the grant for imams to pujaris and granthis, the pilgrimage grant, the temple train schemes, etc. Is Kejriwal taking a right turn?

If my government is giving grants and support to people of all religions, and if I am enabling citizens to visit pilgrimage sites of their faith—be it temples, mosques, churches, or gurdwaras—why should that be seen as wrong?

Religion and faith are an intrinsic part of our society, and it is the responsibility of a government to respect and support the spiritual needs of its people, irrespective of their beliefs. These initiatives are about inclusivity and ensuring that every community feels cared for and represented. Governance, in my view, is about serving people in all aspects of their lives, including their spiritual and cultural needs.

You have said this is the toughest election the AAP has faced in Delhi. How do you rate your chances of victory? After 10 years in power, why will the people vote for you again?

Every election is challenging, and we approach each one with full determination. The last five years were particularly tough. The first two years were lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, and after that many of our leaders were imprisoned in fake cases. Despite these obstacles, we’ve made remarkable progress across multiple sectors.

We are confident of victory because of the transformation we’ve brought to the lives of Delhi’s people. Government schools have been completely overhauled and are now performing better than many private schools. Our mohalla clinics are serving two crore patients annually. Delhi is the only State in the country with 24x7 free electricity. We’ve also doubled the length of the Delhi Metro and added 2,000 electric buses—the highest in India.

The people of Delhi will vote for us because of these achievements and because they know we are committed to their welfare and progress.

Even if you win, how are you going to do effective work if the L-G continues to control the bureaucracy? And, if you do come back to power, what is the one big administrative reform you wish to implement in Delhi?

It’s unfortunate that the BJP-led Centre seems to think that its primary role in Delhi is to derail the work of the elected government. Politics should be about competing to serve the people, not pulling each other down. The Centre has so many powers in Delhi—they could have built schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, and worked to reduce crime. Yet, they’ve failed to deliver even a single meaningful contribution to the people of Delhi.

In our next term, one major infrastructural reform will be to redesign 1,400 km of Delhi’s major roads to European standards, giving the city the look and feel of a global metropolis. We’ve already successfully piloted around 40 km of roads along these lines, and the results have been highly encouraging.

Arvind Kejriwal (right) with senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia during the launch of The Delhi Model by Jasmine Shah, in New Delhi on December 15, 2024. The AAP’s “Delhi model of governance” focusses on education and healthcare and on providing basic amenities free of cost to the common man. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

Can you become Chief Minister if the AAP wins? Do the Supreme Court’s bail conditions allow you to do so?

This is just another fake narrative being spread by the opposition because they cannot counter us on the work we’ve done, nor do they have a credible chief ministerial face for Delhi. Let me make it clear: the Supreme Court has not imposed any bar on me becoming the Chief Minister again.

Besides corruption, the other big plank this time is the AAP’s financial viability. Your opponents say you do not have a plan to fund the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana.

Similar doubts were raised when we introduced free electricity, water, and bus rides for women. Yet, not only are these schemes running successfully, we’re also the only State government to maintain a surplus budget for the past 10 years. I have a detailed plan to fund every guarantee I have made for the next five years, including the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana.

The BJP has no chief ministerial face. Is this election a Modi vs Kejriwal contest? If so, will this work for you or against you?

Modiji is the Prime Minister of the country, so it cannot be a Modi vs Kejriwal contest in Delhi. I have repeatedly asked the BJP to declare its chief ministerial face, but instead of answering, they resort to verbal abuses.

For the people of Delhi, the choice is clear: it’s between Kejriwal, who has a track record of delivering results, and a party that relies on “gaali-galauj” [abuses] instead of presenting a vision for the city. I trust the voters of Delhi to make the right decision.

The RSS is reportedly using its massive cadre base to reach out to your traditional voter base in the slums and migrant worker colonies. Can the AAP counter this?

In a democracy, everyone is free to contest elections and seek votes. But the people of Delhi are wise—they know who has genuinely cared for them and worked to improve their lives. Ultimately, it is their decision, and I have full faith in their ability to choose what’s best for them and the future of Delhi.

The AAP has alleged large-scale voter additions and deletions in the electoral list. If the Election Commission does not respond satisfactorily to your complaints, what will your plan of action be?

This is not just an allegation—we have provided substantial evidence to the Election Commission and the media, showing how the BJP is attempting to manipulate voter lists in this election.

For instance, in my own New Delhi constituency, where there are around 1 lakh voters, we found that within just 15 days in December, 14,000 new voter applications were filed, and 6,000 voters were marked for deletion. If 20 per cent of voters in a constituency can be altered so easily, it raises serious questions about the integrity of the election process.

What’s more troubling is that when the Election Commission contacted individuals who allegedly requested voter deletions, those who responded said they had never filed such applications—it was a clear case of identity theft. Despite these red flags, the Election Commission has neither launched an investigation nor stopped processing these fraudulent [deletion] applications.

We’ve raised the issue repeatedly and been assured that the Election Commission will address it and prevent any manipulation. For now, we are closely monitoring the situation and mobilising our volunteers on the ground to ensure that every voter’s right is protected. If the Election Commission fails to act, we will leave no stone unturned in raising this issue before the people and ensuring fair elections.

Patients collecting medicines at a newly inaugurated mohalla clinic in New Delhi on January 27, 2024. These clinics offer free services, tests, and medicines to underserved sections of society. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

What are the national implications of this election? With the Trinamool Congress and the Samajwadi Party supporting the AAP, what is the future of the INDIA front? Do you believe the Congress should no longer helm the anti-BJP alliance?

I am deeply grateful to Mamata [Banerjee] didi, Akhileshji [Yadav], and other leaders for their support. They recognise that the alliance’s primary goal is to defeat the BJP and protect the country’s democratic values. In every State, the party best positioned to challenge the BJP should take the lead, and this principle must guide us moving forward.

I am fighting this election to save the country, while it seems the Congress is fighting to save itself. The future of the INDIA alliance will be decided collectively by its leadership. It is this shared vision and unity that will ensure we achieve our larger goal of securing the country’s future.

After two huge mandates—67 of 70 seats in 2015 and 62 of 70 in 2020—how many seats do you expect to win this time?

That’s for the voters of Delhi to decide. Wherever I go, people tell me they believe the AAP will form the government again with a comfortable majority. The exact margin may vary, but the support and trust of the people remain strong, and that’s what truly matters.

Finally, what legacy does Arvind Kejriwal wish to leave behind?

I consider it a blessing and a privilege to have been chosen as Chief Minister three times—something I had never even imagined. My only focus is to use every moment of this opportunity to serve the people and contribute to building a better, stronger India.