New Delhi, Oct 9 (Representative) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday hailed AAP candidate Mehraj Malik via video call as he secured victory in the Doda assembly seat in Jammu and Kashmir. This victory marks a significant milestone for AAP, as Malik becomes the party’s first MLA in the state. He won the election by defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Gajay Singh Rana by over 4,500 votes.With this win, AAP expands the party’s presence in five states, joining existing MLAs in Delhi, Punjab, Goa, and Gujarat. During a call, Kejriwal said, “Jammu and Kashmir has become the fifth state where AAP has an MLA.” Commending Malik’s work, he said, “People are with you.”Meanwhile, Malik invited Kejriwal to come to Jammu and Kashmir. “You (Arvind Kejriwal) have taken many initiatives inside Delhi. This also increased our hopes. We want a big change inside Jammu and Kashmir. We have fought with full might against these people,” he said.“I had promised the people that we will do a program on October 10. I want you to come to Jammu and Kashmir,” Malik added.During the call, Mehraj Malik also showed the victory certificate to Arvind Kejriwal. “The change started from Delhi. Now a ray of hope has emerged in Jammu and Kashmir too, and now we will move ahead with full strength,” Malik said.
Congratulating Malik on his victory, AAP senior leader Manish Sisodia also posted on X, “With your (Mehraj Malik) victory, the Aam Aadmi Party has now entered the assemblies of five states. Many congratulations also to Imran Hussain, the in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir.” Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said, “Many congratulations to AAP candidate Mehraj Malik from Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, for his spectacular victory. AAP’s caravan is growing day by day under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal. Now, AAP has MLAs in five states of the country.” AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh also extended his congratulations, stating,The revolution has begun in Kashmir too. The politics of honesty is moving forward across the country under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal. The people had already decided the victory, and today it has been announced.”Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said, “With the victory in the Doda Assembly, Arvind Kejriwal’s revolution has now reached Jammu and Kashmir as well. Congratulations to Mehraj Malik for this spectacular victory.”AAP National General Secretary (Organisation) Dr. Sandeep Pathak said, “With Jammu and Kashmir joining as a new member, the presence of AAP has now extended to five states.”
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha thanked the people of Jammu and Kashmir in a tweet. He said, “The Aam Aadmi Party has now opened its account in J&K, establishing itself in the hearts of the people of yet another state.” “With MLAs in five states across India with a little over ten years of our formation, our growing footprint shows that people continue to embrace Arvind Kejriwal’s vision and place trust in AAP’s ability to deliver people-centric governance. Congratulations to Mehraj Malik and all our AAP volunteers for a remarkable win in Doda Assembly Constituency,” he added.Senior AAP leader and minister Saurabh Bharadwaj posted on X, “Today, a soldier of Arvind Kejriwal won in Kashmir (Jammu & Kashmir) as well. The Aam Aadmi Party has opened its account.” Assuring the people of welfare work, Malik in a social media post on X said, “The people of Doda have sent a clear message that the oppression has reached its limit. Now, there will be justice and improvement. There will be doctors in the hospitals, schools will improve, and roads will be made better. Now, work will be done for the welfare of the people.”