Political leaders in India are currently involved in a public debate over who has done more work for the people. This disagreement comes as Delhi prepares for assembly elections. On one side, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) claims their ten years in power brought more progress than other parties achieved in seventy years. On the other side, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) argue that the last decade was a period of wasted time and "emergencies." These claims focus on basic needs like water, roads, and electricity, making the upcoming vote a test of whose version of history the public believes.
Timeline of Competing Achievements and Criticisms
The debate involves several key events and statements made by top officials over the last year, leading up to the 2025 elections.
April 2017: Arvind Kejriwal claims the AAP government did more in two years than the BJP did in ten years within the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
September 2024: Atishi becomes the youngest Chief Minister of Delhi. Her team states that projects that were "stuck on files" are now moving again.
October 2024: Arvind Kejriwal defends his ten-year record, calling it "honest service" and warning that a BJP win would end free electricity and water programs.
January 5, 2025: PM Narendra Modi tells a rally in Rohini that AAP turned every season into an emergency due to pollution and water shortages.
March 16, 2025: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann claims that three years of AAP rule in Punjab achieved more than the previous 70 years of other governments.
The core of the dispute rests on whether "work" is measured by new buildings and infrastructure or by social programs like free electricity and schools.
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Statements from Party Leaders
| Leader | Main Claim | Timeframe Cited |
|---|---|---|
| PM Narendra Modi | AAP wasted Delhi's time and caused "emergencies" in every season. | 10 Years |
| Arvind Kejriwal | AAP served honestly and built schools and clinics others couldn't. | 10 Years |
| Bhagwant Mann | Punjab's progress in 3 years beats the previous 70 years. | 3 Years vs 70 Years |
| Anil Sareen (BJP) | AAP's tenure in Punjab has been about "loot" and no justice. | 3 Years |
"The work done in these years has not been done in the last 70 years… the war against drugs and corruption is on." — Bhagwant Mann, Punjab CM.
The 10-Year Record: Success or Failure?
Leaders are presenting two very different stories about what has happened in Delhi since 2015.
The Argument for SuccessArvind Kejriwal and Atishi point to "free schemes" as their biggest success. These include free bus rides for women, free electricity up to certain limits, and improvements to government schools. They claim these programs help the poor directly. In Punjab, Bhagwant Mann highlights the creation of 52,000 government jobs and a fight against corruption as proof of fast work.
The Argument for FailurePM Narendra Modi describes the last ten years as a disaster, using the word "AAP-da" (a play on the Hindi word for disaster). He points to:
Water Shortages: Many neighborhoods do not have steady water.
Air Pollution: Every winter, the air becomes dangerous to breathe.
Water-logging: Streets flood during the rainy season.
If these problems remain after ten years, does it suggest a lack of long-term planning, or are these issues too large for any single city government to fix alone?
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Conflict Over Video Evidence
In early 2025, a video of Arvind Kejriwal went viral. In the clip, he is heard saying that "every road in Delhi is broken" and there is a "water shortage in every colony."
BJP's View: They used the clip to argue that Kejriwal was finally admitting his government failed to develop the city over ten years.
Fact-Check Result: Investigation showed that Kejriwal was talking specifically about the Vishwas Nagar area, not the entire city of Delhi.
Does the focus on one broken neighborhood indicate a wider problem with city maintenance, or is it a normal part of managing a massive capital city?
New Leadership and "Stuck" Projects
When Atishi took over as Chief Minister in late 2024, her supporters admitted that some work had slowed down.
Bureaucracy: AAP leaders stated that while Arvind Kejriwal was away, many welfare plans were "confined to files."
The Shift: Since Atishi took office, the government claims the "authority" is better and projects are being "fast-tracked."
Opposition View: Amarinder Singh Raja Warring (Congress) and Anil Sareen (BJP) argue that the government has failed in areas like the economy and law and order.
Is the sudden rush to finish projects a sign of new efficiency, or does it confirm that work had stopped for a long period?
Analysis of Public Services
Official reports and leader statements show a split in priorities between the competing parties.
Infrastructure vs. Welfare: The BJP emphasizes large-scale infrastructure like highways and drainage. The AAP emphasizes "Mohalla Clinics" and direct financial relief through waived bills.
Corruption Claims: Bhagwant Mann claims to be cleaning up the government in Punjab. However, his opponents in the BJP claim his three years have been marked by a lack of real development and "loot."
Electricity and Water: This remains the most sensitive topic. Kejriwal has promised to waive "inflated" water bills if re-elected, while PM Modi claims the current government has failed to provide the basics.
Conclusion and Findings
The investigation into these claims shows a clear divide in how development is measured. AAP leaders use a timeline of 3 to 10 years to claim they have outdone decades of previous rule by focusing on social welfare and "honesty." Conversely, the BJP uses the same 10-year window to argue that Delhi has fallen into a state of "emergency" regarding its environment and infrastructure.
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Findings include:
There is a verified disagreement between the state (AAP) and central (BJP) governments over who is responsible for Delhi's water and pollution issues.
AAP's success in Punjab is heavily debated; while the government cites job creation, the opposition cites economic failure.
The upcoming election will likely be decided by whether voters prioritize "free services" or "infrastructure and city management."
Next Steps:Voters will need to look at their own neighborhoods to see if the "broken roads" mentioned by leaders are a local issue or a city-wide reality. The government's ability to waive water bills in March 2025 will be a key test of their promises.
Sources Used
Hindustan Times: PM Modi’s speech on Delhi’s “10 wasted years.” Link
Free Press Journal: CM Mann’s claims on Punjab’s 3-year progress vs 70 years. Link
The New Indian Express: Kejriwal’s defense of AAP’s 10-year “honest service.” Link
ABP Live: Fact-check regarding Kejriwal’s comments on Delhi’s development. Link
The Week: Analysis of CM Atishi’s role and the status of welfare schemes. Link
InUth: 2017 records of Kejriwal’s comparison of AAP and BJP work. Link
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