As Delhi approaches its 2025 Legislative Assembly elections, the political atmosphere is charged with anticipation. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, seeks a third consecutive term, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC) are determined to make significant inroads in the capital’s political landscape. The election is scheduled for February 5, with results to be declared on February 8.
One of the most closely watched constituencies is the New Delhi seat. Arvind Kejriwal, who has represented this constituency since 2013, is contesting against BJP’s Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma and Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit. Verma is the son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma, and Dikshit is the son of the late Sheila Dikshit, another former Chief Minister. This contest is particularly significant, given the political legacies involved.
In the Kalkaji constituency, Chief Minister Atishi is defending her seat against BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri and Congress’s Alka Lamba. Atishi secured this seat in the 2020 elections with a margin of 11,393 votes. The Kalkaji seat has been a focal point due to its diverse voter base and the prominence of the candidates involved.
The Jangpura constituency is witnessing a notable shift, with former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia moving from his previous Patparganj seat to contest here. He faces BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah and Congress’s Farhad Suri. Sisodia’s relocation is seen as a strategic move by AAP to strengthen its position in different parts of the city.
In the Rohini constituency, BJP’s Vijender Gupta, a two-time winner, is up against AAP’s Pradeep Mittal. Gupta secured the seat in the 2020 elections with a margin of over 12,000 votes. The Rohini seat has been a battleground between AAP and BJP, with both parties vying for dominance.
The Ballimaran constituency, known for its significant Muslim population, has incumbent AAP minister Imran Hussain contesting against Congress veteran Haroon Yusuf and BJP’s Kamal Bagri. Yusuf has represented this constituency multiple times and was a cabinet minister in the Sheila Dikshit government. The dynamics in Ballimaran are particularly intriguing due to its demographic composition and the candidates’ profiles.
In the Okhla constituency, AAP’s Amanatullah Khan is seeking a third consecutive term. He previously defeated BJP’s Braham Singh in both the 2015 and 2020 elections with substantial margins. This time, he faces Congress’s Ariba Khan, adding a new dimension to the contest.
The Patparganj constituency, previously represented by Manish Sisodia, now has AAP’s Awadh Ojha contesting against BJP’s Ravinder Singh Negi and Congress’s Anil Chaudhary. Sisodia had won this seat in the last three elections, making it a stronghold for AAP. Ojha’s candidature is part of AAP’s strategy to introduce fresh faces while maintaining its influence.
In the Shakur Basti constituency, AAP’s Satyendra Jain is up against BJP’s Karnail Singh. Jain has been a prominent figure in Delhi’s politics, serving as the Health Minister and playing a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic. His contest with Singh is significant, given the focus on health and infrastructure in the campaign narratives.
The upcoming elections are not just a test for the individual candidates but also for the major political parties aiming to establish or reinforce their presence in Delhi. The AAP is striving for a third consecutive term, banking on its governance record and welfare schemes. The BJP is eager to wrest control of the capital after over two decades, focusing on issues like corruption and infrastructure development. Meanwhile, the Congress is attempting to regain its lost foothold in the city, emphasizing its legacy and experience.
As the election date approaches, the campaigns have intensified, with parties deploying their top leaders and strategists to woo voters. The outcomes in these key constituencies will play a pivotal role in determining the political landscape of Delhi for the next five years.
