Arvind Kejriwal

Arvind Kejriwal

About Arvind Kejriwal

Arvind Kejriwal

The former Chief Minister will contest from the New Delhi constituency. Kejriwal's leadership has been pivotal in AAP's governance and public appeal. As the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), he aims for a fourth consecutive term, leveraging his administration’s welfare schemes, including free electricity and healthcare initiatives, which have garnered significant public support. Kejriwal has been vocal against rising crime rates in Delhi, promising enhanced security funding for residents' welfare associations if re-elected, positioning himself as a protector of public safety. 
 
Kejriwal is an IITian, and former IRS officer. The founder and national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Kejriwal came into the limelight after receiving the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership in 2006. 
 
In 2011, Kejriwal, along with activist Anna Hazare and others formed the group India Against Corruption (IAC), which protested against the government's delay in enacting the Jan Lokpal Bill (citizen's ombudsman Bill). Although the movement failed, Kejriwal's struggle won him admirers across the globe. He went on to venture into active politics by forming the AAP, which won the Delhi Assembly election for the first time in 2013. Kejriwal became the CM, but the government fell in under 50 days. Following over a year of President’s rule in the capital, the next Assembly polls in 2015 saw Kejriwal’s AAP returning to power with a landslide win in Delhi — 67 of the 70 seats. 
 
In 2014, Kejriwal unsuccessfully contested against the BJP’s then prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, from Varanasi in UP. Kejriwal and his government have been at constant loggerheads with the Narendra Modi government and the Delhi Lieutenant-Governor, over issues revolving around public appointments, the responsibility of the UT and the Centre, etc.

Latest Updates on Arvind Kejriwal

PM's fast-track court announcement ignores protesters' key demand: Kejriwal

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement on setting up fast-track courts for paper leak cases did not address the protesting students' primary demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. In a video message on X, Kejriwal said this is not what the students had demanded. Referring to Modi's remarks made earlier in the day, the former Delhi chief minister said, "This morning, the prime minister announced that fast-track courts will be established for paper leak cases. What happened to Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation?" The country already has fast-track courts for several matters, he said, and questioned their effectiveness. Kejriwal said Modi did not mention incidents of students being injured during the protest march on Monday in his message to the youth. Earlier in the day, Modi said the welfare of the country's youth is the top priority of his government and asserted that anyone trying to harm their futu

Updated On: 23 Jul 2026 | 2:38 PM IST

Kejriwal seeks meeting with PM over E20 fuel; demands pure petrol option

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday sought an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss concerns over E20 petrol, requesting that options for pure and E20 petrol be made available at fuel stations, with lower prices for ethanol-blended petrol. In a letter to the PM, Kejriwal said he wanted to explain the technical issues and the feedback he received from people related to the matter during his proposed meeting. Kejriwal said customers should have the choice to buy either pure petrol or E20 petrol at fuel stations. "If someone wants pure petrol, they should get that option and those wanting E20 should also have that choice," he said. Kejriwal said he had written to the prime minister after interacting with people and understanding their concerns regarding E20 petrol. The AAP chief also sought a reduction in E20 petrol prices, saying the blended fuel provides lower mileage compared to regular petrol. Kejriwal said the party has started an online petition for citizen

Updated On: 14 Jul 2026 | 12:54 PM IST

Kejriwal seeks 'stricter' action in Ayodhya Ram temple donation theft case

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday sought stricter action against the "donation thieves" in the Ayodhya Ram temple embezzlement case and said people want them to be hanged. Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal said the alleged irregularities were serious, noting that an FIR had been registered in the matter. "If no theft had taken place, an FIR would not have been lodged, and eight people would not have been arrested," he said, adding that it is people's demand that the "donation thieves be hanged". "Only FIR is not sufficient," he added. He also alleged that many temples and religious institutions across the country had come under the control of people involved in donation theft. Such institutions should be freed from their control and handed over to religious leaders for proper management, the AAP chief said. Kejriwal added that those who are raising the issue are being targeted instead they are demanding action against the alleged culprits.

Updated On: 07 Jul 2026 | 3:19 PM IST

Kejriwal to seek automakers' written assurances on E20 fuel, to write to PM

Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said he would write to three major automakers, seeking written assurances that the use of E20 fuel does not damage engines or reduce mileage. He also said that he would write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the "strong protest" by people against ethanol blending and would urge him that the fuel be made optional. Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal named Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar and Hero MotoCorp, alleging that their public statements contradicted the guidance in the owner manuals of their vehicles. "I will write letters to all of them... I will tell them that your owner manual says one thing, but you are saying something else. Give in writing that if the mileage of your vehicle drops by more than 10 per cent, will you compensate the customer," Kejriwal said. "If using E20 ethanol in your vehicle damages the vehicle or causes wear and tear, will you compensate for the replacement of those components?,"

Updated On: 07 Jul 2026 | 1:34 PM IST

Education system has fallen into hands of mafia: Kejriwal amid NEET row

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday slammed the central government over the alleged NEET paper leak, saying the country's education system has fallen into the "clutches of the mafia". Reacting to reports that NEET papers would be transported to exam centres by the Indian Air Force, Kejriwal said that Centre has no intention of getting to the bottom of the paper leaks, and was instead making such bizarre moves (nautanki). "Air Force will be used to prevent paper leaks in NEET. Will this stop paper leaks? How is our government talking like uneducated people? World over so many exams are conducted, have we ever heard any such bizarre thing " Kejriwal said in a post on X in Hindi. "They don't even have the intention to stop paper leaks. The country's education system has completely fallen into the clutches of the mafia," the former Delhi chief minister said. To fix this, everyone will have to come together and do something, Kejriwal said in a video message. "It won't happ

Updated On: 30 May 2026 | 2:45 PM IST

ED party wiped out: Kejriwal thanks Punjab voters as AAP sweeps civic polls

Kejriwal also said that AAP's dominance in the Punjab Civic Polls 2026 is an answer to the narrative being pushed by the "ED Party"

Updated On: 30 May 2026 | 6:52 AM IST

Delhi HC lists CBI plea in excise policy case for May 25 after bench change

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday listed for hearing on May 25 the CBI's petition against the trial court order discharging all accused persons in the liquor policy case and asked the agency to inform former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and former MLA Durgesh Pathak about the change of bench. "Let them be intimated that the case has been allocated to this court. So if they have to say anything or respond to the present petition. Let them be served. Once everybody is here, we will draw a schedule of hearing," Justice Manoj Jain said. The CBI's petition assailing the trial court's decision was listed before Justice Jain after Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma released it from her court last week. On February 27, the trial court discharged Kejriwal, Sisodia and 21 others in the liquor policy case, as it ruled that the case was wholly unable to survive judicial scrutiny and stood discredited in its entirety. Subsequently, Kejriwal, Sisodia, Pathak and some .

Updated On: 19 May 2026 | 2:35 PM IST

Delhi HC seeks response from Kejriwal, Sisodia in criminal contempt case

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought the stand of AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Durgesh Pathak, Sanjay Singh, Saurabh Bhardwaj and others in a criminal contempt case initiated against them for their "vilifying" social media posts against Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma. A bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja issued notice to the politicians on the suo motu contempt case initiated against them by Justice Sharma and granted them four-week time to file their response. "Issue notice. The alleged contemnors will file their response within a period of four weeks from the receipt of notice," the bench stated, as it listed the case for next hearing on August 4. Justice Sharma had on May 14 initiated criminal contempt proceedings against Kejriwal, Sisodia and other AAP leaders over their "vilifying" social media posts against her in relation to the excise policy case. Justice Sharma had asserted that the former Delhi chief minister "orchestrated a calculated ...

Updated On: 19 May 2026 | 12:17 PM IST

Delhi HC assigns excise policy case to Justice Manoj Jain after row

The Delhi High Court reassigned the excise policy case involving AAP leaders after Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma initiated contempt proceedings over social media posts

Updated On: 19 May 2026 | 12:59 AM IST

Excise case: Justice Sharma takes contempt action against Kejriwal, Sisodia

Delhi High Court judge Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on Thursday initiated criminal contempt proceedings against AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Durgesh Pathak, Sanjay Singh, Saurabh Bhardwaj and others over their "vilifying" social media posts against her in relation to the excise policy case. Justice Sharma said the former Delhi chief minister "orchestrated a calculated campaign" of vilification against her on social media instead of pursuing his legal remedies and clarified that the CBI's petition against the discharge of all accused persons would now be taken up by another bench. The judge took exception to several social media posts by the proposed contemnors that attributed "political allegiance" to her and allegedly targeted her by posting a misleading "edited" video of a speech given by her at an educational institution in Varanasi. "Arvind Kejriwal sought to destroy my reputation instead of availing legal remedies after I refused to recuse and a deliberate attem

Updated On: 14 May 2026 | 11:09 PM IST

Kejriwal calls on Gen Z to demand accountability on NEET paper leak

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday urged Gen Z to ensure that those behind the alleged NEET paper leak are brought to justice, saying that if the youth in Bangladesh and Nepal could bring political change, Indian students could also force accountability. Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal said recurring paper leak incidents had shaken the confidence of aspirants. He also wondered whether investigations in the past by the Central Bureau of Investigation had led to strict punishment for those responsible. "If Gen Z in countries like Bangladesh and Nepal could change the government, then Indian youth could also ensure accountability in cases of paper leaks," the former Delhi chief minister said. He also alleged that the CBI probe into the NEET paper leak would achieve nothing and that the agency had failed to do anything in previous leaks. Kejriwal cited paper leak incidents since 2014 and said the lapses affected the future of crores of students. He alleged that

Updated On: 13 May 2026 | 1:48 PM IST

Kejriwal questions PM Modi over austerity appeal, cites economy concerns

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over austerity measures he has asked people to follow and said he needs to tell people about the condition of the country's economy. Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal said the country has passed through crises, including wars, in the past, but no prime minister before Modi announced seven most stringent steps, requesting people to follow them. He also said the obvious reason behind the austerity measures suggested by Modi was the ongoing war between America and Iran, but "there could be some other reason behind the slipping economy of the country". The former Delhi chief minister also questioned why all the austerity measures were targeted at the middle class and why the prime minister himself, ministers, officers and ultra rich of the country should not have to make the sacrifices. The prime minister recently appealed to people to limit their purchase of gold, foreign travel and use of .

Updated On: 12 May 2026 | 2:30 PM IST

The recusal question: Arvind Kejriwal plea sharpens bias vs duty debate

Kejriwal's recusal plea against a Delhi HC judge highlighted gaps in India's uncodified framework governing judicial bias and impartiality

Updated On: 04 May 2026 | 12:13 AM IST

No codified law, only conscience: India's judicial recusal doctrine

With no statutory framework, judicial recusal in India hinges on ethics and precedent, balancing impartiality with duty amid concerns over litigant-driven bench selection

Updated On: 03 May 2026 | 7:01 PM IST

Delhi HC issues fresh notice to Kejriwal on ED plea against acquittal

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued a fresh notice to AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on pleas by the ED challenging his acquittal in two separate cases lodged against him for not appearing before the agency despite summonses issued in the excise policy case. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma noted that according to the registry, the earlier notice issued to the former chief minister had not been served. The investigating agency's counsel said notice was issued to Kejriwal on April 1 but no one has entered an appearance on his behalf. "Registry reports that (he is) not served. I will issue fresh notice. Respondent has not been served," the judge said, and listed the matter for hearing on July 22. The cases stem from the ED's complaint to the trial court that the then chief minister intentionally disobeyed the summonses issued to him by not joining the probe. It also alleged that Kejriwal raised frivolous objections and deliberately created grounds for not attending the probe. In the hi

Updated On: 29 Apr 2026 | 10:32 PM IST

After Kejriwal, Sisodia refuses to pursue excise case before Delhi HC judge

AAP leader Manish Sisodia on Tuesday wrote a letter to Delhi High Court Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, saying that he will also not pursue his matter in the excise case in her court. This comes a day after party chief Arvind Kejriwal similarly decided to neither appear in person or appoint any lawyer for his case in Justice Sharma's court. "No lawyer will appear on my behalf either. Your children's future is in the hands of Tushar Mehta," Sisodia said. I do not expect justice; there is no path left except Satyagraha, he added. On Monday, Kejriwal also wrote a letter to the high court judge after his plea seeking the recusal of Justice Sharma was rejected on April 20.

Updated On: 28 Apr 2026 | 10:12 AM IST

Kejriwal withdraws from excise case proceedings before Delhi HC judge

Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal withdraws from excise policy case proceedings before Delhi High Court judge, citing lack of confidence in impartial adjudication

Updated On: 27 Apr 2026 | 8:13 PM IST

Arvind Kejriwal refuses to appear before Delhi HC judge in excise case

Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal has written to Delhi High Court Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, saying he will not appear in the excise case personally or through a lawyer before her, the party said on Monday. "My hope of getting justice from Justice Swarana Kanta has been broken. Therefore, I have decided to follow Mahatma Gandhi's path of Satyagraha," Kejriwal wrote in the letter. He further said he has made the decision by listening to the voice of his conscience. The former Delhi chief minister added that he will reserve the right to approach the Supreme Court to appeal against Justice Sharma's decision.

Updated On: 27 Apr 2026 | 9:45 AM IST

AAP no longer the same party, no one can work with Kejriwal: Swati Maliwal

Defected AAP MP Swati Maliwal on Saturday alleged that her former party had "strayed far" from its original principles, and its leader Arvind Kejriwal is no longer the same. Barely a year after losing power to the BJP in Delhi, AAP suffered its greatest jolt on Friday when seven of its Rajya Sabha MPs, including Raghav Chadha and Maliwal, quit the party. The other defectors were Sandeep Pathak, a key face of the party organisation, former cricketer Harbhajan Singh, Ashok Mittal, Rajinder Gupta and Vikram Sahney. Maliwal, who joined the BJP after defecting, praised the "decisive and strong leadership" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "I left my home, lived in slums for seven years, quit my job and supported every movement. But when I tried to file an FIR after being assaulted, I was beaten up at Kejriwal's residence by his aide," Maliwal told PTI Videos. She claimed that when she tried to pursue the complaint, she was "threatened and pressured" to withdraw it. "For two years, I wa

Updated On: 25 Apr 2026 | 2:41 PM IST

Chadha, others wouldn't have quit if AAP followed 'right path': Anna Hazare

Social activist Anna Hazare has said Raghav Chadha and six other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha members would not have quit the party had it followed the "right" path. "Everyone has the right to hold an opinion in a democracy. They (Chadha and others) must have faced some trouble, which is why they left," Hazare told reporters on Friday in Ahilyanagar district of Maharashtra. AAP Rajya Sabha members Raghav Chadha and Sandeep Pathak addressed a joint press conference in Delhi on Friday, announcing their exit from the Arvind Kejriwal-led party to join the BJP. Chadha claimed that nearly two-thirds of AAP's Rajya Sabha members had quit the party and would function as a separate faction. "It is their (AAP leadership's) fault. Had that party followed the right way, they would not have left," Hazare said. Hazare reiterated that Chadha and others must have faced difficulties within AAP, and that is why they left. "Had the party gone in the right direction, they would not have quit the

Updated On: 25 Apr 2026 | 11:04 AM IST