AAP Government and Corruption: A deep dive into misgovernance and scams

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came into power with the promise of providing clean and transparent governance, but over the years, various reports from agencies like the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have raised serious corruption allegations. The AAP government has been accused of financial mismanagement and scams in multiple sectors, including healthcare, water supply, and public advertising.

Healthcare Sector Corruption: Rs 382 crore scam

The healthcare sector in Delhi has been marred by delays and financial mismanagement. According to a CAG report, only three new hospitals were built in the last decade, all of which were initially sanctioned during the Congress government’s tenure. These hospitals include Indira Gandhi Hospital, Burari Hospital, and Maulana Azad Dental Hospital. However, their construction faced significant delays:

• Indira Gandhi Hospital was delayed by five years.
• Burari Hospital was delayed by six years.
• Maulana Azad Dental Hospital was delayed by three years.

In addition to these delays, the construction costs for these hospitals exceeded the original tender amount by a significant margin:

• Indira Gandhi Hospital: Rs 314 crore surplus was spent beyond the tendered amount.
• Burari Hospital: Rs 41 crore surplus was spent.
• Maulana Azad Dental Hospital: Rs 26 crore surplus was spent.

A total of Rs 382.52 crore was spent in excess of the sanctioned amount, raising serious concerns about financial irregularities in the healthcare sector. Moreover, the CAG report highlighted that from 2016-17 to 2021-22, Rs 2,623 crore lapsed from the money sanctioned for infrastructure projects. Additionally, 15 plots acquired by the Delhi government between 2007 and 2015 have remained undeveloped, showcasing inefficiency and mismanagement.

Jal Board Scam: Misappropriation of public funds

Dinesh Mohaniya, a senior AAP leader and former vice-chairman of the Delhi Jal Board, has been accused of playing a significant role in the misappropriation of funds within the department. His involvement in awarding contracts to ineligible companies and allegedly facilitating bribes highlights deep-rooted corruption within the DJB. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has been at the centre of a major corruption scandal, with allegations of misusing public funds for political campaigns. According to the Enforcement Directorate, AAP leaders received funds from the Jal Board scam and used them for election purposes.

ED investigations revealed that contracts worth Rs 38 crore were awarded to MS NKG Infrastructure, despite the company failing to meet the eligibility criteria.  Then DJB Chief Engineer Jagdish Arora and contractor Anil Kumar Aggarwal were arrested for financial misconduct.

Raids at 12 locations linked to AAP leaders resulted in the seizure of goods worth Rs 1.97 crore and foreign currency amounting to Rs 4 lakh. The ED also alleged that bribes from the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy were used to fund election campaigns, including the Goa Assembly elections.

The scam highlights a serious failure in governance, where money meant for public welfare was diverted for political gains, leading to further degradation of Delhi’s water infrastructure and supply system.

Water Mafia: A corrupt system thriving on government inaction

Delhi’s water supply crisis has been worsened by a Nefarious water mafia that allegedly operates with the support of government officials. The connection between the AAP government and the water mafia is deeply rooted in corruption and inefficiency.

• Government officials allegedly leak information about water shortages and accept bribes to allow illegal water extraction.
• Politicians turn a blind eye to illegal water trade, often using tanker operators for financial benefits or voter appeasement.
• FIRs have been lodged against AAP MLAs, including Dinesh Mohaniya, for misbehaving with citizens protesting water shortages.
• The government’s failure to expand water infrastructure forces millions of Delhi residents to rely on private tankers.
• The water mafia thrives on weak regulation and poor enforcement, allowing them to charge exorbitant prices.

This ongoing crisis highlights the failure of the AAP government to address a critical public service issue, further exposing the extent of corruption within the system.

Advertisement and Publicity Scam: Rs 488.97 crore spent in 2021-22

One of the most significant financial mismanagements under the AAP government has been the massive expenditure on advertisements and publicity. A Right to Information (RTI) inquiry in 2022 revealed a dramatic increase in the government’s spending on advertisements:

• In 2012-13, during the Congress government, Rs 11.18 crore was spent on advertisements.
• By 2021-22, this amount had increased 44 times to Rs 488.97 crore.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21, when the focus should have been on healthcare, Rs 293.20 crore was spent on advertisements.
• The CAG report flagged excessive spending and mismanagement of funds.

Additionally, the government failed to route classified advertisements through the Directorate of Advertisement and Visual Publicity (DAVP), incurring an additional expenditure of Rs 1.10 crore. The CAG also highlighted a lack of transparency, as only 34 per cent of the requested advertisement records were provided for auditing. This raises serious concerns about the misuse of taxpayer money for political propaganda rather than public welfare.

Political and Bureaucratic Nexus in Contract Manipulations

Reports Claims that after gaining control of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), AAP leaders started monopolising government contracts. Many contracts were awarded selectively, raising concerns about favouritism and financial losses amounting to hundreds of crores.

• Several civil contractors benefited from the government’s favouritism.
• The lack of competitive bidding led to substandard work and increased project costs.
• The political bureaucratic nexus enabled the siphoning of public funds meant for infrastructure projects.

This pattern of misgovernance has led to inefficiency, delays in infrastructure projects, and significant financial losses.

AAP’s Covert Operation to Control Media

A major scandal under the AAP government involves the systematic misuse of public funds to influence media narratives and legal proceedings. Investigations have revealed:

• An estimated 300 journalists were receiving monthly ‘gifts’ ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh to ensure favourable coverage for the AAP government.
• Around 200 Standing counsels of the Delhi government were placed on a monthly retainer between Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh, potentially influencing legal cases in favor of the AAP government.
• Media houses benefited significantly, receiving ad revenues amounting to Rs 300 crore per year, ensuring that critical voices were muted while AAP government propaganda was amplified.

These revelations point to a concerted effort to control public perception, silence dissent, and manipulate legal processes, further exposing the AAP government’s attempts to hide its corrupt practices.

AAP’s Resistance to CAG Audits: Concealing financial irregularities

One of the most alarming aspects of the AAP government’s tenure is the alleged obstruction of CAG audits. The AAP government has been accused of deliberately withholding key files to conceal financial irregularities.

• The CAG faced significant difficulties in accessing AAP government records for audits.
• Key documents required for proper scrutiny of expenditures were either not provided or were incomplete.
• The lack of transparency raises serious concerns about AAP’s commitment to clean governance and accountability.

This obstruction suggests a deliberate effort to prevent exposure of financial misconduct, further undermining the credibility of the AAP government.

Ahead of the Delhi elections, social activist Anna Hazare expressed his disappointment with Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of straying from the path of truth and integrity. Hazare, who once mentored Kejriwal, stated that Kejriwal had prioritised money over principles, leading to his downfall.

Reflecting on their past association, Hazare mentioned that former IPS officer Kiran Bedi and several others were also involved in his initiatives, such as *Anna Ki Pathshala*. However, he lamented that Kejriwal “ran after money and slipped.” Hazare found it unfortunate that Kejriwal, once a dedicated volunteer, had abandoned the values of sacrifice and honesty. “I always advised him to keep his life spotless and uphold integrity. But he started prioritising money over principles,” Hazare remarked.

Addressing the corruption allegations against Kejriwal and other senior AAP leaders, Hazare stressed that accusations are common in politics. However, he emphasised that when such charges arise, it is essential to provide evidence to disprove them. He asserted that truth always prevails and should remain the guiding principle in governance.

Poet and former AAP leader Kumar Vishwas also criticised Kejriwal, stating that his arrogance had finally met its match. He argued that the momentum from the Anna movement was misused, comparing Kejriwal’s actions to those of Duryodhan, the arrogant antagonist from the Mahabharata.

Delhi residents, who once had high hopes for the AAP government, now face immense disappointment. During Kejriwal’s tenure, the city has struggled with severe air pollution, inadequate education infrastructure, and a deteriorating healthcare system. Many believe that the national capital deserves far better governance than what AAP has delivered.

“The energy generated from the Anna movement could not be utilised properly. The arrogant Duryodhana has met his downfall. Dushasana has also been defeated. This arrogant one now lies with a broken thigh,” Vishwas stated.

At Ramlila Maidan, the birthplace of the anti-corruption protests led by Anna Hazare that gave rise to the Aam Aadmi Party and propelled Arvind Kejriwal onto the national stage, he made his declaration. Thousands of supporters once filled the grounds as AAP emerged, presenting itself as a party dedicated to good governance, transparency, and grassroots reforms. However, as time passed, several key promises remained unfulfilled, leading to a decline in public trust.

The mood now is starkly different. AAP has suffered a major defeat in the assembly elections, with its top leaders—including Kejriwal and his deputy, Manish Sisodia—losing in their home constituencies. The party, which initially gained traction through an anti-corruption movement and strengthened its position with civic and welfare policies, has been increasingly associated with populism and agitational politics. This has raised serious questions about its future, particularly given its lack of a clear ideological framework.

Founded in 2012 following the India Against Corruption movement, AAP experienced a rapid rise under Kejriwal’s leadership, securing a historic victory in the 2015 Delhi elections. However, over the years, the party became embroiled in governance and policy-related controversies. In the 2025 elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party ended AAP’s dominance in Delhi, with Kejriwal himself losing his New Delhi constituency.

This defeat marks a significant shift in Delhi’s political landscape. The BJP secured 48 out of 70 seats, reclaiming power in the capital after 27 years, while the Congress party failed to win a single seat for the third consecutive term. Rekha Gupta, a 50-year-old former student leader, has been appointed as the new Chief Minister, becoming the fourth woman to hold the position in Delhi.

The BJP’s victory is credited to its strategic campaign, which focused on public education improvements, free healthcare, and electricity benefits. These promises resonated with voters, leading to a major political shift in the capital.

In essence, AAP’s journey—from its origins in an anti-corruption movement to its recent electoral defeat—highlights the fluid nature of Delhi’s political landscape and underscores the significant role governance and policy decisions play in shaping voter sentiment.

The AAP government, which once positioned itself as a party of transparency and accountability, has been exposed in multiple corruption scandals. From the healthcare sector to water supply, advertisement spending, and bureaucratic contract manipulations, the mismanagement of public funds is evident. The pattern of corruption, coupled with obstruction of independent audits, indicates a deliberate effort to conceal financial irregularities. With public money being funnelled into election campaigns and scams running into hundreds of crores, the need for greater transparency, stricter oversight, and accountability in governance is more urgent than ever. The people of Delhi deserve a government that prioritises their welfare over political ambitions.