A fresh political controversy erupted on Tuesday after Arvind Kejriwal, former Chief Minister of Delhi and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo, publicly claimed he deserves a Nobel Prize for governance and administration. The statement, made during the launch of the Punjabi edition of the book The Kejriwal Model in Chandigarh, drew immediate and sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Kejriwal defended his tenure, stating, “Despite being stopped from working, we performed. I should get a Nobel Prize for governance and administration for doing so much despite there being a lieutenant governor and various difficulties”. He emphasized that his administration delivered results in education, healthcare, and public services despite institutional hurdles.
The BJP, however, dismissed the claim as “laughable.” Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva led the counterattack, alleging that Kejriwal’s tenure was marred by “incompetence, anarchy, and corruption.” He remarked, “Kejriwal demanding a Nobel Prize for himself is laughable. He would have surely received one if there were categories for incompetence and corruption”.
Sachdeva cited multiple alleged scams under the AAP government, including:
- The controversial renovation of the CM’s residence, dubbed the “Sheesh Mahal”
- Mismanagement in classroom construction projects
- Irregularities in liquor licensing and pension schemes
- Issues with panic buttons in public transport buses
In response, AAP leaders accused the BJP of resorting to name-calling instead of focusing on governance. Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj stated, “Virendra Sachdeva is in the government now. It is time to govern, not just talk. Opposition days are over—now you have to deliver. Delhi is waiting for real work, not distractions or name-calling”.
Kejriwal further claimed that since AAP exited power in September 2024, public services in Delhi have “collapsed,” and citizens are beginning to miss his administration’s governance model.
As the political sparring continues, Kejriwal’s Nobel Prize remark has reignited debates over governance, accountability, and the legacy of his tenure in Delhi.
