Within just a year, the political landscape of Delhi appears to have shifted dramatically — and the change is now visible on the city’s streets. What Delhi state president Saurabh Bharadwaj recently said at a press conference was not merely a political remark, but an indication of what he described as the ground reality: that people in Delhi are already missing Arvind Kejriwal.
Taking a swipe at the current administration, Bharadwaj pointed out that the press conference itself began an hour late. He sarcastically thanked both the Delhi and Central governments, saying that for the past three days, traffic congestion in central Delhi has been so severe that taxi drivers have been unwilling to enter the area.
This is the same Delhi that, before 2025, witnessed what supporters described as a governance model under the Aam Aadmi Party focused on education, healthcare, and subsidised electricity and water. Mohalla Clinics were seen as a support system for the poor and middle class. Government school results and infrastructure improvements were widely discussed, both nationally and internationally. Electricity bills were lower, water supply improved, and many felt that governance had reached their doorstep.
However, the situation now appears to be changing within a year. As the government led by Rekha Gupta completes one year in office, hoardings have appeared across the city reading: “One year, Delhi distressed — Missing Kejriwal.” Notably, the posters feature no photographs — neither of Gupta nor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi — only a message that directly appeals to public sentiment. The question being raised is: if everything is functioning smoothly, why hesitate over a name?
In various neighbourhoods, residents are asking why Mohalla Clinics appear shut or inactive. Why have queues in government hospitals grown longer? Why does the same energy and reform no longer seem visible in schools? Traffic congestion has become routine. Pollution levels often spike instead of declining. Complaints about irregular water supply and weakened sanitation services continue to surface.
Before February 2025, Arvind Kejriwal was widely regarded by supporters as a leader who reshaped the language of politics — focusing on “work” rather than just “votes.” Schools were upgraded, clinics opened, and relief in electricity and water bills was highlighted. That, observers say, is why when daily inconveniences grow, people begin comparing the present with the past.
Delhi’s voters tend to judge governments not by rhetoric, but by everyday experience. If water does not reach homes in the morning, if children do not experience the same environment in government schools, if doctors are unavailable at clinics, or if commuters spend hours stuck in traffic, dissatisfaction becomes inevitable. That dissatisfaction is now being reflected in public conversations and hoardings.
Completing one year in office is not just about retaining power; it is about demonstrating improvement in citizens’ lives. If disorder appears to replace perceived progress, comparisons are bound to follow — especially with a period when many believed governance was more responsive.
Delhi now finds itself in a phase of comparison. The question emerging in public discourse is clear: will the capital return to what was once called the “Delhi model,” or will the current conditions define its new identity?