New Delhi: As Delhi gears up to vote in the high-stakes assembly elections on Wednesday (February 5), all eyes are on whether the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) can secure another term or if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will reclaim the capital after a 25-year hiatus. The Congress, once dominant in Delhi politics, also seeks to stage a comeback. The counting of votes will take place on February 8.
The AAP is in power for over 10 years in the capital. They first formed the government in the capital with the help of Congress, it lasted only 49 days. The party has won dominant victories in the past two assembly elections, winning 67 seats in 2015 and 62 in 2020 polls. BJP could only win eight seats in 2020, while the party was limited to three seats in 2015. Congress failed to win a single-seat in past two elections, it was in power for 15 years before that.
Key details of the election
A total of 699 candidates are contesting for the 70 assembly constituencies across Delhi. Voting will begin at 7am at 13,766 polling stations, with 1.56 crore eligible voters expected to cast their ballots. Of these, 83.76 lakh are men, 72.36 lakh are women, and 1,267 are third-gender voters.
Delhi Metro has announced that its services on the voting day will begin at 4am. This has been done to facilitate voters and election staff.
Referendum against AAP and Kejriwal
The polls are increasingly being seen as a referendum on AAP’s governance model and former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. AAP is banking on its governance record, focusing on welfare schemes, education, and healthcare improvements. Despite facing corruption allegations related to the excise policy, Kejriwal remains confident of winning at least 55 to 60 seats.
Kejriwal resigned as chief minister after being granted bail in the excise policy corruption case in September last year had said that he would only take up the post if the people reaffirmed their trust in him by re-electing his party. Kalkaji MLA Atishi was made the chief minister of Delhi.
BJP’s determined push for power
The BJP, led by PM Modi, Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and JP Nadda–also a Union minister, has focused its campaign on alleged corruption within AAP and governance failures, including unfulfilled promises like cleaning the Yamuna river and improving waste management. The party aims to end AAP’s dominance and reclaim control of the city after more than two decades.
BJP has fielded Parvesh Verma against Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency and Ramesh Bidhuri against Atishi from Kalkaji, showing its intent to take the party head-on.
Congress hopes for a revival
The Congress, which was in power in Delhi from 1998 to 2013 under Sheila Dikshit, is striving to regain relevance after failing to win any seats in the last two elections, the party also drew blank in the last three Lok Sabha polls in Delhi too. Leading the campaign for Congress is Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. Congress is focusing on contrasting its governance record with the “unfulfilled promises” of both AAP and BJP. The party has introduced fresh faces to appeal to younger voters and aims to revive its traditional voter base.
Pre-election tensions and allegations
The intense 27-day campaigning has been marred by accusations and counter-accusations. On the eve of the polls, Kejriwal and Atishi met with the Election Commission, alleging “hooliganism” by BJP supporters and police to intimidate voters, particularly in slum areas.
BJP accused AAP of conspiring to suppress its voter turnout by submitting false lists of non-resident and deceased voters. The EC has assured of strict action against any violations of the MCC to ensure a free and fair election.
Legal troubles for AAP leaders
Kejriwal also faces legal challenges beyond Delhi. A case was filed against him in Haryana for his remarks about “poison in the Yamuna”, accusing the BJP of contaminating Delhi’s water supply. The FIR includes charges related to inciting riots and promoting enmity.
Atishi also faces an FIR for allegedly violating the MCC and obstructing police officers during a campaign rally.
A spiritual touch to the campaign
On the eve of voting, top leaders from both AAP and BJP sought divine blessings. Kejriwal visited the Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place, praying for “truth” to triumph, while BJP’s Virendra Sachdeva prayed at the Jagannath Temple in Hauz Khas for his party’s success.
