KKN Gurugram Desk | In a sharp attack on Delhi Former  Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi mocked his earlier promise to clean the Yamuna River. Speaking at a public rally in Hauz Qazi Chowk, Delhi, on February 2, 2025, Rahul Gandhi questioned Kejriwal’s credibility, particularly regarding his unfulfilled promise to clean the Yamuna within five years. Gandhi’s remarks, which included a direct jibe at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, created a buzz in political circles ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 5, 2025.

Rahul Gandhi Challenges Kejriwal’s Unfulfilled Promise

Rahul Gandhi took a pointed dig at Arvind Kejriwal, recalling the Delhi CM’s 2015 promise to clean the Yamuna River in five years. Despite years of political leadership, Gandhi noted that the Yamuna remains dirty and polluted. In his speech, Rahul Gandhi challenged Kejriwal to drink a glass of Yamuna water and claimed that after that, the two would “meet in the hospital.”

He mocked the AAP leader’s earlier statement that he would take a dip in the river once it was cleaned, calling it an empty promise. “Arvind Kejriwal said he would bring a new political system, eradicate corruption, and clean the Yamuna water. But it is still dirty. I would suggest he drink it, and we will meet in the hospital afterward,” Gandhi remarked.

This was not just an attack on Kejriwal’s administrative failures but also an attempt to highlight the stark contrast between the promises made and the realities of governance in Delhi under his leadership.

AAP Leaders Criticized for Their Role in Corruption

Rahul Gandhi also targeted the core leadership team of the AAP, which includes key figures like Manish Sisodia, Atishi, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chaddha, and Satyendra Jain. Gandhi described this group as a ‘corrupt’ set of individuals who, according to him, came to power by making false promises but had failed to live up to their commitments.

He accused Kejriwal’s inner circle of engaging in corrupt practices while leading a lavish lifestyle, often removed from the challenges faced by common Delhi residents. “On one hand, the poor people of Delhi are forced to drink contaminated water. On the other hand, Kejriwal and his team are sitting in their palatial homes, indulging in crores worth of corruption,” Gandhi alleged in his speech.

BJP vs AAP: A Fight of Ideologies

In his speech, Gandhi not only took a swipe at Kejriwal’s promises but also framed the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections as a battle between two opposing ideologies: one of unity and the other of hatred. Gandhi positioned Congress as the party of unity, contrasting it with the BJP and AAP, which he claimed represented the ideology of division and hatred.

Gandhi further criticized Kejriwal’s political approach, stating that there was little difference between the Delhi CM and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Modi speaks openly about his views, while Kejriwal remains silent and disappears when needed,” Gandhi said, drawing a parallel between the two leaders’ political strategies. According to him, both Kejriwal and Modi had failed to address the real issues facing Delhi and the country.

Accusations of Exclusion in AAP’s Leadership

Gandhi also attacked the composition of AAP’s leadership, pointing out that none of the prominent leaders in the party’s core team came from the Dalit, OBC, or Muslim communities. This, Gandhi argued, reflected Kejriwal’s failure to build a truly inclusive party that could address the needs of all segments of Delhi’s population.

Holding up a pamphlet featuring AAP’s leaders, Gandhi questioned the absence of representation for marginalized communities. He said, “These nine people are Kejriwal’s core team, and none of them belong to the Dalit, OBC, or Muslim communities. When there’s a riot, they disappear. They only make empty promises but fail to include these important sections of society in their team.”

The Ideological Fight: Congress vs BJP-RSS

Rahul Gandhi also drew a sharp distinction between Congress and the BJP in terms of their respective ideologies. He described the Congress party’s vision as one of unity, in contrast to the BJP’s ideology, which he claimed was based on hatred. According to Gandhi, the upcoming election would essentially be a battle between these two contrasting ideologies.

“The fight is not just between two political parties; it’s a battle between two ideologies—one of unity, and the other of hatred. BJP and RSS represent hatred, and Congress represents unity,” Gandhi said. He further emphasized that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi may be in power now, history would eventually forget him, just like Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi. “No one remembers Godse today, and the day Modi leaves office, no one will remember him either,” he added.

The Delhi Elections and Public Sentiment

With the Delhi Assembly elections looming just days away, Gandhi’s remarks are part of the broader political battle in the national capital. Voter sentiment in Delhi has been sharply divided, with AAP trying to retain control after several years in power, and Congress aiming to make a comeback by capitalizing on discontent with Kejriwal’s leadership. Gandhi’s speech highlighted key issues that have dominated the election discourse, such as governance failures, corruption, and the lack of inclusivity in AAP’s leadership.

The Congress leader also used the occasion to remind voters that while Kejriwal may have promised change, the ground reality is very different. By criticizing Kejriwal’s unfulfilled promises, including the cleaning of the Yamuna, Gandhi sought to convince voters that the AAP’s promises were nothing more than political rhetoric.

Delhi Elections: A Tough Fight for Kejriwal and AAP

The upcoming Delhi Assembly elections are set to take place on February 5, 2025, with results being counted on February 8, 2025. As the election draws near, the political heat is intensifying, and both Congress and the AAP are leaving no stone unturned in their campaigns. While Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP seeks to hold on to power in the capital, Rahul Gandhi and Congress are hoping to capitalize on the dissatisfaction with Kejriwal’s governance to make significant inroads in the city.

As the Delhi Assembly elections near, the rivalry between Congress and AAP continues to heat up. Rahul Gandhi’s latest attack on Arvind Kejriwal’s unfulfilled promises, especially the failure to clean the Yamuna River, has raised important questions about Kejriwal’s credibility and leadership. This political showdown is set to be one of the most watched contests, not just for Delhi’s future but also for the broader political dynamics in India.

With the stakes so high, both parties are preparing for a fierce battle to win over the voters of Delhi, promising change, but only time will tell which party’s vision will ultimately resonate with the electorate.