‘AAP ke paap’: Delhi Congress launches poll ‘anthem’, grabs for the broom

The Delhi Congress on Thursday, 23 January, launched its ‘anthem’ for the upcoming Delhi assembly elections, encompassing key schemes and promises for the people of the capital. The song — ‘AAP ke paap pardafansh (uncovering the AAP’s sins)’ — was unveiled in the presence of senior Delhi Congress leaders and AICC’s chairman of the media and publicity department Pawan Khera.

Addressing the media during the launch event, Khera accused the AAP government and former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal of corruption in the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.

“Kejriwal came to power raising the slogan of clean politics, but his reality is now evident,” said Khera. “It is unprecedented in Indian history for a chief minister to be accused of a scam on such a scale — both nationally and internationally.”

Notably, the Congress had mere months ago attacked the BJP for hounding and jailing Kejriwal to shackle the Delhi state administration.

Now, however, Khera played an audio clip of sitting AAP MLA Sharad Chauhan, who is again contesting the elections. In the clip, Chauhan seems to express frustration over the alleged misdeeds of the AAP government, claiming, “My minister and my government did wrong things for money because money was taken from liquor companies to contest elections.”

Delhi Congress chief Devendra Yadav has long criticised the AAP government and claimed that the liquor scam benefitted not only the top leadership but also other AAP colleagues.

Meanwhile, pressing issues went unaddressed, he said, highlighting unemployment and drug addiction among Delhi’s youth.

“In the Delhi liquor scam, the current AAP government has benefited not only the top leadership but also its other colleagues. We are doing a door-to-door campaign in Delhi. Today, unemployment and drug addiction are a big issue among the youth of Delhi. Youth are increasingly turning to drugs due to lack of opportunities, causing distress for families, especially mothers and sisters,” said Yadav.

His argument was amplified on the Congress’ official X handle.

Other speakers at today’s presser held up the values of the Congress for contrast.

Ragini Nayak, who is contesting from Wazirpur, emphasised the party’s election promises and expressed confidence in the impact of past theme songs, which resonated with the public in previous campaigns, she said.

“Be it the theme song of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, the Delhi Nyay Yatra or the current assembly election theme, these songs reflect the Congress’ working style and are winning hearts during campaigns,” she said.

Nayak highlighted the Congress guarantees under various schemes aimed at addressing inflation, unemployment and public welfare:

• Pyari Didi Yojana: Rs 2,500 per month to women.

• Jeevan Raksha Yojana (Life Insurance Scheme): Free medical treatment up to Rs 25 lakh.

• Yuva Udaan Yojana: One-year apprenticeship for youth with a stipend of Rs 8,500 per month.

• Free Electricity Scheme: 300 units of electricity at no cost.

• Mehangai Mukti Yojana (‘Inflation Relief Scheme’): Cooking gas cylinders at Rs 500, along with a free ration kit (5 kg rice, 2 kg sugar, 6 kg lentils, 1 litre oil, 250 g tea leaves).

“These guarantees are not just promises but solutions to the issues faced by Delhiites every day,” said Nayak.

As the Delhi elections approach, Congress leaders are conducting door-to-door campaigns across the city. They are banking on public discontent with the AAP government’s alleged corruption and misgovernance to regain political ground in the capital.

With unemployment, inflation and governance at the forefront of the political discourse, the battle for Delhi intensifies, with the Congress positioning itself as the party of accountability and reform — and contesting the AAP’s self-image of the ‘clean party’.