'Berozgar Neta': AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj turns YouTuber after Delhi poll loss

Saurabh Bhardwaj, former AAP MLA and Delhi minister. (File Photo: PTI)

Former Aam Aadmi Party legislator Saurabh Bhardwaj has launched a YouTube channel, "Berozgar Neta" (unemployed politician), following his defeat to BJP's Shikha Roy from the Greater Kailash constituency in the recently concluded Delhi Assembly elections.

Sharing his first video on the platform, Bhardwaj, who also served as a minister in the erstwhile AAP government, said he will utilize the platform to interact with people on a daily basis.

Prior to his loss on the GK seat by 3,188 votes to his BJP rival, Bhardwaj won the seat in 2013, 2015 and again in 2020. As a minister, he held several portfolios, including urban development, irrigation and flood control, health, industries, art, culture and language, tourism, social welfare and cooperatives.

He also shared how the poll defeat flipped his life "180 degrees" and made him an unemployed leader. "The Delhi results announced on February 8 have changed many lives. For people like us, the situation has changed 180 degrees. It can be said that leaders like us have become unemployed," he said in the short clip shared on his channel.

Bhardwaj further said that many people had reached out to him post the February 8 verdict online enquiring about his plans and experiences following the Delhi loss. "Through this channel, I want to share my journey and address these questions directly," he added.

The AAP leader said his YouTube channel will feature daily discussions on various topics, providing an interactive space for citizens to engage with him. Viewers will have the opportunity to submit their questions and suggestions, making the platform an open forum for political discourse, he said.

The former Delhi minister said that huis duties as an MLA and minister kept him extremely busy, but he suddenly has ample time at his hands. "When you are an MLA and a minister, you have a lot of work, but suddenly, you are in a position where you have ample time. As an MLA, we get a salary. But how long can we sustain from the savings? So it would also be a source of livelihood."

Bhardwaj said his YouTube channel would cover political and social issues besides discussing governance challenges. He said he would offer insights on various matters. "We know something about everything. We will share those experiences," he added.

Bhardwaj's defeat was among several high-profile poll losses from the AAP in the Delhi elections. Among those who suffered defeats includes Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain and Dilip Pandey. Gopal Rai and Atishi were the only two prominent leaders who were able to win from their respective seats.