We’ll win more seats than before: Gopal Rai, AAP’s Delhi convener

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has claimed it will secure a landslide victory in the Delhi assembly elections, citing the welfare work done over the past decade. The party believes the people of Delhi will once again choose AAP for its consistent governance and welfare schemes.

In a candid conversation with Patriot, senior AAP leader and Environment Minister Gopal Rai addressed key issues such as pollution, Delhi’s infrastructure challenges, and the party’s strategies to woo voters, particularly women.

Excerpts:

Pollution remains a major concern in Delhi, but no party has addressed it in its manifesto. Why is that?

We have successfully reduced pollution by 35% and increased Delhi‘s green cover. The introduction of electric buses is a significant step in this direction. If the Union Government had supported us, we could have reduced pollution by up to 70%. Unfortunately, they haven’t contributed meaningfully.

Pollution is indeed a major issue, and tackling it requires the Centre’s active involvement. Our government has consistently prioritised this challenge. If you compare the data from 2016 to 2024, you’ll notice a marked improvement in the number of good air quality days in Delhi.

What is your response to complaints about poor roads and sewer systems?

The situation has improved considerably across Delhi. Roads, water supply, and unauthorised colonies are in much better condition now. Earlier, many areas, including parts of my own constituency, Babarpur, were inaccessible due to poor infrastructure. Now, roads, drainage systems, and pipelines have been developed in these areas.

In Babarpur, almost all roads and pipelines are ready, and operations will begin very soon. The remaining 10% of work will be completed within the next five years.

How confident are you about AAP’s performance in the elections?

The Aam Aadmi Party government has worked extensively in Babarpur. We’ve set up 16 Mohalla Clinics and a mini hospital with 10 speciality departments ranging from allopathy to homeopathy. Our schools have been modernised. We are also planning to build a stadium for children and a cultural centre with an auditorium.

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The party’s focus has always been on delivering our promises. When we announced free electricity and bus rides for women, people doubted us, but we delivered. Similarly, initiatives like Mohalla Clinics were initially met with scepticism, but we proved our commitment. All our ongoing projects will continue, and the new promises we’ve made will also be fulfilled.

AAP promised to clean the Yamuna a decade ago. Why is it still unfinished?

We have made progress in cleaning the Yamuna, though the work is not yet complete. We remain committed to resolving this issue in the coming years.

Do allegations of corruption against AAP leaders hurt the party’s image?

Our credibility with the public has only grown stronger. Over the past two years, BJP’s agencies worked tirelessly to find evidence against us, but they failed. Every leader who was jailed has now been released, which has reinforced the public’s trust in us.

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If there had been any substance to the allegations, the agencies would have uncovered it by now. This scrutiny has only highlighted our leaders’ innocence. The people understand this, and our support base has strengthened.

What results are you expecting this time?

This time, our work speaks for itself, and the response from the public has been overwhelming. Initially, we anticipated a victory with fewer seats. However, after announcing the Mahila Samman Yojana, the positive feedback has been palpable. We are confident we’ll win more seats than before, resulting in a massive mandate.

What message would you like to give voters?

I urge voters to examine the track records of all parties. If they believe AAP has delivered on its promises, I encourage them to vote for us. We understand there are expectations, and we are committed to meeting them.