GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 20th May: In a bid to expand its national presence and engage young voters, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday launched its students’ wing — Association of Students for Alternative Politics (ASAP) — marking a decade since the party’s emergence on the national political landscape.
At a well-attended launch event in Delhi, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal made a rare public appearance and addressed students from Delhi University, Indraprastha University, as well as Punjab and Gujarat. Laying out his vision for ASAP, he said the initiative aims to build student groups across campuses to engage in political discourse, social activities, and cultural events that connect youth with real issues.
“We will force people to rethink about the superiority of our brand of alternative politics over the mainstream politics of other parties,” Kejriwal said.
He criticised what he called the “mainstream politics” of both the BJP and Congress, blaming it for persistent national issues like poor education, inadequate healthcare, and food insecurity. Highlighting the AAP model, Kejriwal said the party stood for a politics that ensured equal treatment for the rich and the poor.
Slamming the BJP-led Delhi government, the former Chief Minister said, “Power cuts of 3–4 hours have returned, private schools are hiking fees unchecked, and government school standards are falling.” He recalled the AAP’s 10-year governance in Delhi, claiming it had ensured 24-hour electricity, better healthcare, and improved education.
Urging students to not detach themselves from politics, he said, “Even the power supply to your home is political. Your job prospects are political. You cannot afford to stay away from politics.”
He also criticised the middle-class mindset of avoiding political engagement, arguing that real change will come only when educated youth take active roles in governance.
Recalling his party’s impact on Delhi’s education system, Kejriwal claimed AAP’s governance dismantled the “education mafia” and controlled arbitrary fee hikes in private schools. Referring to recent developments, he said, “Just three months after the new Delhi government took over, private schools have increased fees and even deployed bouncers to keep out students unable to pay.”
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