"Bond with auto driver brothers is old and comes from heart": Arvind Kejriwal at Auto Wing's 'Diwali Milan'

New Delhi [India], October 12 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday joined the party's Auto Wing 'Diwali Milan' event at the AAP headquarters, where he met and interacted with auto drivers, listened to their grievances, and extended festive greetings, according to an official AAP release.
Recalling his longstanding association with the auto driver community, Kejriwal said his relationship with them was "old and heartfelt," adding that he always felt a deep sense of belonging whenever he met them.
The AAP Chief recalled that the AAP government had provided several benefits and exemptions for auto drivers during its tenure and worked extensively for their welfare. Hitting out at the current regime, he said the exploitation of auto drivers had resumed soon after the government changed.
"They had promised seven big benefits to auto drivers during the elections, but not a single one was fulfilled," Kejriwal said. The event was also attended by AAP Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj and office-bearers of the party's Auto Wing.

AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal extended festive greetings and reflected on his bond with the auto drivers, stating, "I didn't come here to deliver a speech but to meet you all. I have a long-standing affection for auto drivers. I still remember when we contested the 2013 elections. Back then, you were equally troubled by the Congress government. I used to come among you when no one spoke for auto drivers."
As per the release, he continued, "They had made you villains, calling you thieves, looters and criminals. I remember attending your rally at Ramlila Maidan. Some middle-class people even told me that meeting auto drivers would cost me votes. But I went to every colony to explain that if these drivers were truly looters, they would have built big houses by now. They still live in jhuggis. Even if they take a few extra rupees, it's because the entire system is flawed. Give them fair fares and proper meters, and see every driver wants to work honestly. The passenger is like God to them."
The AAP chief pointed out, "But they're not allowed to work peacefully. Traffic police harass them and transport officials trouble them. I was the first to raise your voice in Delhi. Our government worked for you all. For ten years, our government served Delhi, and I never forgot you. Maybe once you forgot me. I'll have to wait for five years now. It pains me to see your jhuggis being bulldozed, children's books crushed under debris, and families forced onto the streets. They lured people with cash handouts and promises, 'Jahaan Jhuggi Wahaan Makaan'. But instead, now it's 'Jahaan Jhuggi, Wahaan Maidaan."
Calling for renewed support, Arvind Kejriwal said, "Just wait for a little while. Then, once again, all of you will bring back your AAP government with a thumping majority. It feels wonderful meeting you all today."
The AAP Supremo took to X and wrote: "Our auto driver brothers from Delhi had come to the party office on Sunday for the Diwali Milan. As soon as I found out, I immediately went to meet them. My bond with auto drivers is very old and heartfelt. I always feel a deep sense of belonging whenever I meet them. Wishing all my auto driver brothers a very happy Diwali and greetings for all the upcoming festivals. May you always keep smiling, may your families stay happy and prosperous -- this is my prayer to God."
During the event, AAP's Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj stated that Arvind Kejriwal was not informed about the gathering in advance.
"He already had several busy engagements today. However, the auto driver brothers wanted to meet him, so I sent him a WhatsApp message requesting that he attend the event. Arvind Kejriwal immediately agreed and came here despite his packed schedule. This was a simple, small programme, not a big event, yet his humility brought him here without any formalities or grand arrangements. This shows that the bond between Arvind Kejriwal and the auto drivers remains as strong today as it was years ago. Today, all auto drivers of Delhi are troubled by the current government and are remembering Arvind Kejriwal."
Meanwhile, responding to the drivers' concerns, Arvind Kejriwal listened as they raised issues about centralising the transport portal.
One of them explained, "Earlier, the Delhi government had its own portal for paying fitness fees, permit fees, and other charges. Now it has been centralised. Even a single spelling mismatch between the Aadhaar card and the Registration Certificate prevents vehicle fitness approval. OTP is required for everything, paying fees, downloading fitness or permits, even for pollution certificates. If this continues, 20% of Delhi's autos will be off the roads within six months. If we complain against corrupt officers, no action is taken and our vehicles fail to get clearance."
They also complained that various fees, which were earlier reduced to zero by the then AAP government, were being reintroduced. "Now they're planning to increase it again to ₹600 or ₹700," one of them said. They also mentioned the promises made by the Central Government, including free school education and scholarships for the children of every licensed auto driver, insurance for all under the Prime Minister's schemes starting from 17 September 2025, and permanent housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. But as one driver pointed out, "BJP demolished the jhuggis, whatever we had is gone."
Speaking about traffic issues, an auto driver added, "In the 511 auto stands that the AAP government built, now the traffic police click pictures if anyone stands even slightly behind the halt-and-go area. The challan (fine) reaches our address automatically, and we don't even know when it happened. This is causing huge distress to all auto drivers." (ANI)