The race for the Delhi Assembly elections intensified on January 4, 2025, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unveiled its first list of 29 candidates, marking the beginning of a fierce triangular contest with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Indian National Congress (INC). The BJP has strategically fielded prominent leaders in key constituencies, directly challenging AAP’s top brass and positioning itself as a strong contender for power in the capital.
One of the most anticipated battles will unfold in the New Delhi constituency, where Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma of the BJP will take on Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP convener and former Chief Minister of Delhi. The INC has fielded Sandeep Dixit, making this seat a focal point of the election.
In Kalkaji, another high-stakes contest is set between BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri, AAP leader and current Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, and Congress’s Alka Lamba. The Kalkaji constituency, known for its strategic importance, will witness intense campaigning from all three parties.
Other notable BJP candidates include:
•Vijender Gupta from Rohini
•Ashish Sood from Janakpuri
•Kailash Gahlot from Bijwasan
•Anil Sharma from RK Puram
•Satish Upadhyay from Malviya Nagar
•Ravinder Singh Negi from Patparganj
These leaders will spearhead the BJP’s efforts to reclaim ground in Delhi, emphasizing its focus on both urban development and governance.
The BJP’s announcement comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp attack on AAP, dubbing it an “aapda” (disaster) that had allegedly mismanaged Delhi over the past decade. He criticized AAP for its financial policies and accused it of prioritizing personal luxuries over governance, referring to Kejriwal’s residence as a “sheesh mahal.”
In response, Arvind Kejriwal dismissed the allegations, asserting that the BJP was the real “aapda” and lacked a chief ministerial candidate or compelling issues for the elections. Kejriwal also highlighted AAP’s track record in education, healthcare, and public welfare as its main achievements over the past decade.
The BJP is sharpening its attack on AAP’s fiscal policies, accusing the government of driving Delhi into financial instability. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi claimed that Delhi’s financial health has deteriorated under AAP, with its budget surplus of 1.56% in 2015-16 now poised to turn negative. Trivedi emphasized that Delhi, once considered a model for financial management, is now grappling with deficits under AAP’s leadership.
As the three parties gear up for the elections, Delhi’s political landscape is brimming with high-stakes contests and fiery exchanges. The BJP’s early candidate announcement reflects its strategy to dominate the narrative, while AAP continues to bank on its governance model and grassroots connect. The Congress, aiming to regain relevance in Delhi, hopes to leverage discontent with both rivals.
With polling dates yet to be announced, the coming weeks promise a heated campaign as each party vies to secure Delhi’s mandate. The BJP’s first list signals that it is leaving no stone unturned to challenge AAP’s dominance, setting the stage for one of the most closely watched elections in the national capital.