Arvind Kejriwal, former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, triggered a heated political exchange on Tuesday by declaring he merits a Nobel Prize for governance. Speaking in Chandigarh at the launch of the Punjabi version of a book titled The Kejriwal Model, he said his government achieved success despite constant hurdles.

“Even with a lieutenant governor creating obstacles and numerous attempts to block our work, we delivered. For that alone, I deserve a Nobel Prize for administration,” Kejriwal said.

The comment immediately drew fire from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which governs Delhi. BJP’s Delhi unit chief Virendra Sachdeva dismissed the statement as ridiculous, accusing Kejriwal of excessive self-admiration amid growing allegations of misgovernance.

“If there were awards for failure, chaos, and scams, Kejriwal would be the top contender,” Sachdeva said. He listed controversies during AAP’s time in power, including scandals linked to panic buttons in buses, inflated classroom construction costs, irregularities in women’s pension schemes, liquor licensing, and the now-infamous renovation of the chief minister’s official bungalow—often dubbed the "mirror palace" by critics.

AAP leaders fired back, with former Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj saying the BJP should focus on delivering governance instead of attacking the opposition.

“Mr. Sachdeva is no longer in the opposition. He now holds the reins of power in Delhi. It’s time to work, not just blame others. The people want results, not rhetoric,” Bharadwaj said.

Kejriwal defended his party’s model of governance, claiming that transparency and accountability were central to their success in both Delhi and Punjab.

“If a government is dishonest or corrupt, the system crumbles. We ended corruption and saved money, which we used to improve schools, hospitals, and offer free electricity,” he said.

He also took a swipe at the BJP-led administration, stating that after AAP stepped down in September 2024, the quality of services in Delhi had sharply declined.

“Since we left, public services have fallen apart. BJP leaders are more focused on looting than on administration. People are already missing the AAP government,” he claimed.

Sachdeva, however, countered that the public remembers the AAP government for its alleged financial misconduct and scandals—especially the use of taxpayer funds for personal comforts and the failure to maintain essential services.