Former Delhi CM Atishi lays stone for community hall in Aman Vihar

Reaffirming its commitment to ensuring grassroots development, senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Assembly’s Leader of Opposition Atishi laid the foundation stone of a community hall in Aman Vihar’s Ward 41, Kirari, on Thursday. The Rs 2-crore project, also referred to as a “baraat ghar”, reflects the AAP-led Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) government’s continued efforts to drive civic progress despite being in the Opposition.

Speaking at the ceremony, Atishi reaffirmed the AAP’s resolve to continue development work despite being out of power in the Delhi Government. “Even from the Opposition, the AAP will not let development stop,” she said, adding that public infrastructure such as schools, sewer lines and Mohalla Clinics reached neglected colonies under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership — areas once dismissed as mere “vote banks”.

The event was attended by Mayor Mahesh Kumar Khichi, Deputy Mayor Ravinder Bhardwaj, local MLA Anil Jha and area Councillors.

Addressing the crowd, Atishi described community halls as the heartbeat of neighbourhoods. “A ‘baraat ghar’ may appear to be just bricks and cement, but it is a space where families come together — for weddings, birthdays and even funerals. Without such spaces, people are forced to depend on costly banquet halls,” she said.

Highlighting the power of the vote, Atishi credited residents for consistently choosing the AAP over the years. “Development comes not just from elected leaders, but from voters who choose wisely. That’s the real strength of democracy,” she said, urging people not to be swayed by fear or inducements during elections.

She also took a sharp swipe at the BJP-led state government, accusing it of rolling back progress within just two months of assuming power. “Power cuts are back, school fees are skyrocketing and people are already saying they were misled,” she said. Atishi cited her recent visit to Janakpuri — the constituency of the current Power Minister — where residents reportedly admitted voting for BJP was a mistake.