Arvind Kejriwal Relaunches AAP’s Student Wing ASAP in Rare Delhi Appearance

New Delhi, May 21 — In a rare public appearance in the national capital since Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lost power in Delhi three months ago, party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday relaunched the party’s student wing, renaming it ASAP — the Association of Students for Alternative Politics. The move comes just days after 16 AAP councillors quit the party to form a separate political outfit.

Addressing students from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat at the Constitution Club of India, Kejriwal accused mainstream politicians of inciting religious divisions while securing privileged futures for their own children abroad. “Winning elections through the misuse of power and manipulating electoral rolls is their politics. Winning hearts is ours,” he said, unveiling ASAP’s new logo — a fountain pen nib with flames resembling a rocket.

The event marked the third public appearance in Delhi in as many months for Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. Since losing control of the Delhi government, AAP has shifted its political focus to Punjab, the only state where it remains in power.

Kejriwal described mainstream politics as the source of India’s persistent problems and called on the youth to reclaim and reform public life. “Whether it’s affordable electricity or government jobs, every issue is political. That’s why students must step forward and engage,” he said, blaming both the BJP and Congress for perpetuating what he called a failed political status quo.

ASAP, still in its formative stage, will focus on building cultural and discussion groups within campuses, besides contesting student elections nationwide. “We aim to create a new generation of student leaders committed to reforms,” Kejriwal added.

The new platform replaces AAP’s earlier student wing, Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS), which was launched in 2015 but failed to make a lasting impact in Delhi student politics. Its lone significant success was winning the Panjab University students’ union presidency in 2022.

According to a leader previously associated with CYSS, the target is to enroll five lakh student members across India within a year and contest every campus election in the country moving forward.

Manish Sisodia, speaking at the event, described the initiative as a “golden opportunity” for students to engage with a fresh political vision. “ASAP won’t just fight elections — it will be present wherever student voices need representation,” Sisodia said, adding that the outfit aspires to become a national platform for education reform and students’ rights.