The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said posters and hoardings with the slogan “Ek saal, Dilli behaal, yaad aa rahe Kejriwal” on February 19, 2026, which heightened political squabbling in Delhi.
had surfaced in various parts of the city as Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s BJP-led government neared the end of its first year in power.
The party attempted to position the messaging as a comparison between the current administration and the AAP’s previous term, describing it as a representation of public sentiment.
Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj noted what he described as deteriorating traffic conditions in central Delhi during a news conference. He said that some cab drivers were hesitant to approach the area, and that the briefing started late because of the three days of congestion. He asserted in the episode that the public was starting to “miss” the former government’s approach to city management and that daily commuter issues had increased in frequency.
Bharadwaj and other AAP officials also questioned public services, claiming that waiting times in government hospitals had gone up and that neighborhood clinics had stopped operating in some areas. They claimed that it was no longer possible to see how quickly government schools were improving and connected public unhappiness to frequent grievances regarding local sanitation problems and interruptions in the water supply. The party also claimed that traffic congestion were becoming commonplace and mentioned instances of excessive air pollution.
The AAP’s statement was mostly based on the party’s evaluation of service delivery and citizen concerns. It did not offer official statistics to support the assertions. However, the party reaffirmed that its previous “Delhi model” was based on reforms in government schools, primary healthcare through mohalla clinics, and subsidized water and electricity, claiming that residents were now drawing comparisons based on everyday experiences rather than political rhetoric.
The AAP claims that the posters it cites solely include the tagline and do not seem to have pictures of political figures. Arvind Kejriwal was the focus of attention, according to the AAP, which implied that the ruling party was uneasy about a public comparison. Regarding the posters themselves, the BJP has not released a formal public statement.
Additionally, the Delhi administration has not issued a detailed response to the AAP’s accusations regarding the operation of clinics, schools, water supply, and sanitation. However, the Chief Minister and senior BJP leaders have emphasized ongoing and proposed projects in public remarks over the last two weeks, framing the first year as centered on starting work and establishing procedures.
Gupta earlier this month unveiled what she called a “report card” for the Shalimar Bagh assembly seat, detailing ₹250 crore in work and ₹10,000 crore in “major projects.” The booklet, she said, covered initiatives that were started, finished, and planned throughout the year.
Additionally, the government has emphasized public transportation efforts. The administration started an electric interstate service between Delhi and Panipat on February 9 and kicked off a batch of 500 electric buses for the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). Gupta stated during the occasion that the city’s goal was to increase the number of electric buses to 7,500 by the end of 2026 and 14,000 by 2028.
The conversation demonstrates how governance assertions and service-delivery results are probably going to continue to play a major role in Delhi politics. Even as opposition leaders demand answers for the common grievances voiced by citizens, the BJP-led government is focusing its first-year messaging on ongoing construction, infrastructure improvements, and transportation expansions, while the AAP is attempting to ground its campaign in the perceived decline in civic services.
