Aap

Explained: Why Centre is bringing Bill to 'detach' Chandigarh from Punjab

The Centre's bid to place Chandigarh under Article 240, enabling direct presidential regulation and an independent administrator, has triggered rare political unity in Punjab against the proposed move

AAP, Congress, BJP announce candidates for upcoming Delhi MCD bypolls

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said that his candidates for the MCD bypolls on November 4 were selected after extensive discussions

AAP announces candidates for November 30 MCD bypolls across 12 wards

The Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday announced its candidates for the November 30 bypolls to the 12 wards of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, a day ahead of the conclusion of nomination submission. The list was approved by Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj. A keen contest between the ruling BJP and AAP is likely during the polls. While it serves as an opportunity for AAP to regain lost ground in the MCD, the BJP will look to further strengthen its tally in the 250-member civic body. According to the list, AAP's Ram Swaroop Kanojia will contest from Dakshin Puri, Anuj Sharma from Sangam Vihar A, and Eeshna Gupta from Greater Kailash. Geeta Rawat has been named AAP candidate from Vinod Nagar, while Babita Ahlawat will fight from Shalimar Bagh B. Seema Vikas Goel has been fielded from Ashok Vihar, Harsh Sharma from Chandni Chowk, and Muddasir Usman Qureshi from Chandni Mahal. Rajbala Sehrawat will contest from Dwarka B, Anil Lakra from Mundka, Rajan Arora from Naraina, and Neelu Kes

AAP slams Delhi govt over pollution, calls it public health emergency

The Aam Aadmi Party on Monday slammed the Delhi government for "complete failure" in controlling pollution, saying that there was a "public health emergency" in the national capital. There was no immediate reaction from the BJP. In a post on X, former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said the "four-engine government has ruined everything". "I appeal to the people of Delhi to take care of themselves - this government is not going to do anything for you," he posted on X in Hindi. Senior AAP leaders said the capital is "gasping for breath" while BJP ministers remain busy with election campaigns in Bihar. AAP's Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj said residents can no longer breathe the city's "poisonous" air, which has forced 'Warrior Moms' -- a collective of mothers fighting for children's right to breathe clean air -- to write to the health minister. "...during this health emergency, Delhi's health minister and other BJP ministers have been busy in Bihar for the past severa

AAP, BJP clash over Yamuna pollution in Delhi after Chhath festival

The Aam Aadmi Party and the ruling BJP in Delhi sparred over the pollution in the Yamuna on Sunday, with the opposition party's Saurabh Bharadwaj alleging the river has returned to its polluted state after the Chhath festival. The BJP was quick to hit back, saying the opposition has scored a self-goal by "admitting" the Yamuna has "returned" to the same condition the AAP government had left it. Days after Chhath Puja ended, AAP's Delhi unit chief Bharadwaj visited the Vasudev Ghat on Sunday and alleged that workers were dismantling the pipeline that had secretly supplied filtered water to the "fake river the BJP had created" for the festival. In a video, he was seen holding the Yamuna's black water in his palms. "After being caught red-handed, the BJP government is now erasing every trace of the fake Yamuna it created," he said. Bharadwaj had earlier alleged that a section of the river was filled with clean water at the Vasudev Ghat for Chhath Puja. "At the Vasudev Ghat, the BJP i

AAP raises doubts over Delhi cloud seeding exercise after no outcome

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday questioned the Delhi government's recent cloud seeding exercise, saying no rainfall was recorded despite claims of artificial rain and raising doubts over the feasibility of such experiments in the national capital. The Delhi government, in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur, conducted cloud seeding trials on Tuesday in some areas, including Burari, north Karol Bagh and Badli, after a gap of 53 years. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said in a statement that the initiative aimed to explore scientific solutions for reducing air pollution in the city. "Preliminary analysis indicates a reduction in particulate matter concentrations in the regions where the trials were conducted, even though weather conditions were not ideal for rainfall," he said. Addressing a press conference, AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj said, "For the past few days, it was said that cloud seeding had been done in various areas of Delhi, but there was no rain ...

Uproar in J&K Assembly over AAP MLA Mehraj Malik's detention under PSA

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday witnessed bedlam over the issue of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik's detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA). NC MLA from Banihal, Sajjad Shaheen, demanded a one-hour discussion on the Doda MLA's detention last month under the stringent act. However, BJP MLA from Udhampur East, R S Pathania, said invoking PSA is a district magistrate's prerogative. This led to an uproar from many members from the treasury benches, and the lone Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) MLA from Langate, Sheikh Khursheed. The members were up on their seats. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather rose from his chair, directing the members to take their seats. Independent MLA from Shopian, Shabir Kullay, protested and tried to enter the well of the House. However, the Speaker said nobody will enter the well, asking the members to keep the decorum of the House. "Let him (Pathania) speak even if you don't like what he says," the Speaker added, and allowed the BJP MLA to continue. Pa

AAP unveils 40 star campaigners, 12 more candidates for Bihar elections

Polling for all 243 assembly seats in Bihar will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, with the results set to be declared on November 14

Delhi govt waives 100% water bill surcharge, calls it a Diwali gift

Domestic consumers who settle their pending water bills by January 31, 2026, will be offered a full 100 per cent waiver on the surcharge. The scheme excludes commercial and government establishments

AAP to contest upcoming bypolls in J&K's Budgam, Nagrota Assembly seats

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday announced that it will contest the upcoming assembly byelections in Budgam and Nagrota constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir. Bypolls to both Budgam and Nagrota assembly constituencies will be held on November 11 while counting of votes will be undertaken on November 14. Budgam fell vacant immediately after the 2024 assembly elections when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chose to retain the Ganderbal constituency. The seat has been vacant since October 21, 2024. Nagrota, on the other hand, fell vacant on October 31, 2024, after the death of BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana. After meeting AAP J-K unit president and sitting MLA Mehraj Malik in Kathua jail, party spokesperson Appu Singh Slathia conveyed several messages, including the decision to fight the upcoming bypolls in the two assembly segments. Quoting Malik, she said the election will be contested on both seats with "truth and commitment". Malik was detained on September 8 under the stringent Publi

AAP dispatches 100,000 letters with complaints about 'poor' roads to Goa CM

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal and party leaders on Monday dispatched one lakh letters, signed by residents, to the Goa chief minister, complaining about the "poor" road conditions in the coastal state. Kejriwal, on the final day of his Goa visit, flagged off a tempo laden with letters in front of the party's office here to be transported to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's residence. Talking to reporters, the former Delhi chief minister said, "I was always told that the road conditions in Goa are bad. I have personally experienced it now during my visit." He claimed that he was late to a function by one and a half hours on the first day of his visit, as he had to take a longer route to reach the venue to avoid pothole-ridden roads. Kejriwal said that the AAP had initiated a campaign against poor roads under the banner "BJP Che Burak", which fetched one lakh signatures from families. "Out of three and a half lakh families in Goa, one lakh have signed. This means one

Farmers have lost faith in AAP, want flood-related compensation: Minister

Union Minister B L Verma on Saturday claimed that farmers have "lost faith" in the AAP government in Punjab and want compensation for damages caused by the recent floods to be deposited into their accounts. On the Punjab government asking when the Centre will release the Rs 1,600 crore relief package, Verma said, "The state government does not need to worry... they will not be given (the money). We will give it to farmers." Verma, who was visiting flood-hit areas in Gurdaspur district, told reporters that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while visiting flood-hit Punjab, had announced a Rs 1,600 crore package in addition to the Rs 12,000 crore already in the state's kitty. He said Modi had asked concerned officials to carry out an assessment of damages in a transparent manner. After the completion of the assessment, the Modi government will pay the compensation, Verma asserted. The minister, however, claimed that the farmers have "lost faith" in the state government, and they are sayin

Delhi riots: HC denies bail to Tahir Hussain, order says allegations grave

While denying bail to former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain in the murder case of IB staffer Ankit Sharma during February 2020 riots, the Delhi High Court order has highlighted the "extremely grave" allegations against him. Justice Neena Krishna Bansal said the incident was not merely an "ancillary crime, but a gruesome manifestation" of a larger conspiracy. "Dragging of Ankit Sharma by an enraged mob, his brutal murder with 51 injuries, and the subsequent disposal of his body in a drain, defines the gravity of the offence," the court said. The verdict prima facie found Hussain not only a "passive participant" but a "key figure" in the events. "Viewing this incident as an off-shoot of the larger conspiracy is essential to appreciate its full gravity and the prima facie role of the applicant (Hussain) within it," the bail rejection order added. On February 26, 2020, complainant Ravinder Kumar informed the Dayalpur police station officials that his son Ankit Sharma, who was posted in

Delhi 2020 riots: HC denies bail to Tahir Hussain in IB staffer murder case

The Delhi High Court on Thursday denied bail to former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain in the murder case of Intelligence Bureau (IB) staffer Ankit Sharma during the February 2020 riots. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, while pronouncing the order, said "the application is dismissed". The police had opposed Hussain's plea calling it a shocking case involving the brutal murder of a young intelligence officer. The evidence, it said, showed how Sharma while attempting to pacify the accused and urging them not to take the law into their own hands, was caught, dragged and stabbed 51 times with a sharp weapon before his body was dumped into an adjoining drain. Hussain's counsel submitted that he had completed over five years in custody and in spite of the trial court's "best efforts" to expedite the trial, its conclusion might take time. The trial court denied him bail on March 12. According to the prosecution, on February 26, 2020, complainant Ravinder Kumar informed the Dayalpur police sta

Kejriwal to get govt accommodation within 10 days, SG tells Delhi HC

The Court recorded the assurance and noted that the matter should not be left hanging

AAP alleges 'vote theft' in Delhi polls, claims EC trying to cover up

The AAP on Saturday reiterated its allegations of "vote theft" in the Delhi assembly elections and claimed that the Election Commission was covering up irregularities and withholding information on voter deletions. This comes two days after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of protecting those behind "vote theft" and claimed that the names of party voters were being systematically deleted from the electoral rolls in Karnataka. The Election Commission (EC) dismissed the former Congress chief's allegations as "incorrect and baseless", stressing that no deletion of votes can take place without following due process. Addressing a press conference on Saturday, AAP's Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj said the party had flagged "vote-chori" in the high-profile New Delhi constituency, which saw a contest between AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, BJP's Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma and Congress' Sandeep Dikshit in the February polls. "We even submitted

CM inaugurates Delhi's first large-scale biogas plant at Nangli Dairy

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday inaugurated the national capital's first large-scale biogas plant at Nangli Dairy, calling it a "proud moment" and emphasising that the city needs several such facilities to process cattle dung and municipal waste. The 200-tonne-per-day (TPD) capacity plant, spread over 2.72 acres, will treat cattle dung and biodegradable waste into compressed biogas (CBG) and manure, officials said. "This plant will not only help in cleaning drains and reducing pollution in the Yamuna but also generate green energy and revenue. Delhi produces nearly 1,500 metric tonnes of cow dung daily and one plant is not enough. The city will need many more such units in the future," Gupta said. Attacking the previous AAP government, Gupta alleged that the project was delayed for years despite funds being sanctioned in 2018. "It took eight years to complete this project because the previous government kept blaming Modi ji instead of working. They indulged in politics

AAP slams Shivraj Singh Chouhan over Punjab floods, seeks relief package

Punjab Cabinet Minister Aman Arora on Saturday slammed Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for blaming illegal mining in rivers for flooding and alleged that the BJP leaders visit flood-hit areas for "photo-ops" instead of announcing financial aid for the state. Accusing the BJP of discriminating against Punjab, the ruling AAP said that the Union Minister did not announce "even a penny" in flood assistance despite the state government seeking payment of its "pending" Rs 60,000 crore from the central government. Chouhan had visited flood-ravaged areas in Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Kapurthala on Thursday. The Union Agriculture Minister had on Friday said he would submit a detailed report on the Punjab flood situation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The minister attributed the flooding partly to weakened embankments along the Sutlej, Beas, Ravi and Ghaggar rivers, compromised by illegal mining activities. In a post on X, he said, "When Atal ji was the prime minister and Parkash Sing

AAP dispatches trucks with relief supplies from Delhi to flood-hit Punjab

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday dispatched trucks carrying relief materials from Delhi to flood-hit Punjab, with the party's state president Saurabh Bharadwaj leading the first consignment. Kejriwal, in a post on X, said, "AAP's Delhi state president Saurabh Bhardwaj is reaching Punjab with flood relief materials. From Delhi, every day, our leaders, MLAs, MPs, and common people will also go to Punjab with trucks carrying flood relief materials and provide their services there." "Many RWAs and businessmen are also contributing at their levels. People from across the country are extending their support to Punjab. The entire country stands with Punjab," he said. AAP's Punjab chief Manish Sisodia said party leaders and workers were coming forward "with open hearts" to help the flood-affected. "Today, Delhi state president Saurabh Bharadwaj is reaching Punjab with relief materials," he posted on X. In a separate post, the party said, "The Punjab that has always helped everyone,

India must impose higher tariffs on US imports: Arvind Kejriwal

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday demanded that India impose higher tariffs on imports from the United States to protect the interests of Indian farmers. There was no immediate response from the central government to Kejriwal's demand. US President Donald Trump has imposed a 50 per cent trade tariff on India over its crude oil imports from Russia. The tariff will impact exports and job creation in labour-intensive sectors such as shrimp, apparel, diamonds, leather and footwear, and gems and jewellery. Addressing a press conference here, Kejriwal alleged that the BJP-led central government has decided to waive 11 per cent duty on cotton imported from the US, a move he claimed could adversely affect domestic growers. "There are lakhs of farmers in the country who depend on cotton for their livelihood. If cotton is imported duty-free, our farmers will suffer losses. Why is the government hurting them?" he asked. The former Delhi chief minister said countries across th