The Claim

On October 6, 2024, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal claimed that the BJP-led central government had not done “even one” development work in the country. He made this statement while alleging his imprisonment was an attempt to halt development and welfare initiatives in Delhi. He further demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi or a promise not to repeat such actions before his retirement.

The Facts

Kejriwal's claim is demonstrably false. Numerous official reports and data points from government and international organizations highlight significant development and progress under the BJP-led NDA government across various sectors. Here's a breakdown of the facts:
Economic Growth: India's GDP growth has been a key focus. The RBI projected GDP growth at 7.3% for fiscal year 2026. The IMF also revised India's growth forecast upwards to 7.3%. India has become the world's fifth-largest economy.
Source: Reserve Bank of India, International Monetary Fund
Foreign Investment: Total FDI inflows between April 2014 and September 2024 amounted to $709.84 billion, accounting for 68.69% of the overall FDI inflow in the past 24 years.
Source: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
Infrastructure Development: From 1947 to 2014, 74 airports were established. From 2014 to 2024, the number nearly doubled to 148.
Source: Ministry of Civil Aviation
Financial Inclusion: Over 51 crore Jan Dhan accounts have been opened, promoting financial inclusion for millions.
Source: Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana Official Website
Housing: Over 4 crore homes have been completed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), providing affordable housing to millions.
Source: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Official Website
Furthermore, India's global rankings in various indices have improved significantly: * **Global Innovation Index:** India's rank improved to 39th in 2024, up from 81st in 2015. * **Logistics Performance Index:** India's rank improved by 16 places to 38th in 2023. * **Ease of Doing Business:** India improved its ease of doing business ranking by 79 places between 2014 and 2019. These improvements are indicative of policy reforms and focused efforts to enhance efficiency and competitiveness across different sectors.

Government Record

The BJP/NDA government has focused on several key areas, including: * **Economic Reforms:** Implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST), Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), and measures to attract foreign investment. * **Infrastructure Development:** Expansion of national highways, railway network, and airport infrastructure. The Bharatmala Pariyojana and Sagarmala Programme are prime examples. * **Social Welfare Schemes:** Launch of schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), Ayushman Bharat, and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana to provide financial assistance, healthcare, and clean cooking fuel to vulnerable populations. * **Digital India Initiative:** Promotion of digital literacy, expansion of broadband connectivity, and development of digital infrastructure. * **Make in India Initiative:** Encouraging domestic manufacturing and reducing dependence on imports. Comparing the UPA era with the NDA era, there are clear differences in the pace and scale of development. For instance, the average annual construction of national highways has increased significantly under the NDA government compared to the UPA regime. Similarly, the number of functional airports has nearly doubled.
"The government is committed to building a New India that is strong, prosperous, and inclusive." - Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The Verdict

Arvind Kejriwal's claim that the BJP-led central government has not done “even one” development work is demonstrably **FALSE**. The data and statistics presented above clearly indicate significant progress and development across various sectors under the BJP/NDA government. His statement ignores the numerous achievements and initiatives undertaken by the government, as evidenced by official data and reports.