After Delhi poll drubbing, AAP chief Kejriwal unveils revamped student wing — ‘ASAP’

The event marked a significant political outreach to the youth by the party, with students from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat, dressed in yellow shirts, in attendance.

The event marked a rare political appearance by Kejriwal in Delhi following AAP’s defeat in the February 2025 Assembly elections. The party, which had held power in Delhi since 2015, is now focusing its efforts on Punjab, where it remains in government.

Kejriwal said the goal of ASAP is to restore the dignity of politics and inspire a generation committed to reform. “Politics has become a dirty word — we need to restore its integrity and inspire a generation which is committed to serving the nation,” he said.

AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, former Education Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia and other party leaders at the launch of the party’s student wing, ‘Association of Students for Alternative Politics’ (ASAP). (Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

He announced that cultural and discussion groups would be established in colleges nationwide to engage students in the ideas of mainstream versus alternative politics. “A new generation of student leaders will be developed who work for reforms,” he added.

The launch of ASAP comes as AAP’s existing youth wing, Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS) that has contested student elections, especially in Delhi University in the past, has been inactive for the past two years.

Former Education Minister Manish Sisodia, also present at the launch, described the initiative as a “golden opportunity” for students to engage in new thinking. “The name includes ‘alternate politics,’ which means we want the youth to look at politics with a fresh vision — just as AAP has been doing,” he said.

(Tashi Tobgyal / Indian Express)

Sisodia emphasised that ASAP would not be limited to electoral politics. “We will fight elections, but also go where no elections are taking place. We have to represent all 80 million students across higher education institutions in the country,” he said, adding that the wing would become a national face for education reform and student rights.

The AAP leadership, in unison, linked the country’s pressing issues — from healthcare and unemployment to food security and infrastructure — to what they described as a failing “mainstream politics”.

Kejriwal pointed to the power cuts now plaguing Delhi as evidence. “When AAP was in power, Delhi had an uninterrupted power supply. Now, we face 4-5-hour-long cuts,” he said.
He also accused the BJP of reversing AAP’s education reforms. “We demolished the education mafia and did not let schools raise fees. But under the BJP, fees have increased, and schools are hiring bouncers to stop students from entering,” he claimed.

Speaking at the event, AAP Delhi convenor Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “We want students to carry forward the programme in their own way. We aim to channelise their raw energy and support their ideas.”

Celebrity UPSC coach Awadh Ojha, who contested for AAP from Patparganj in the last election, highlighted the urgent need for civic awareness. “Democracy is a noble principle, but many people do not understand it. If the whole country grasps it, it can lead to transformative change,” he said.

He added that student movements have historically driven national change, and expressed hope that ASAP would play a similar role in educating and empowering citizens.