The 2025 Delhi Legislative Assembly elections are set to be a pivotal event in the political landscape of India’s capital. Scheduled for February 5, 2025, with results to be announced on February 8, this election will determine the composition of the 70-member assembly. This election is particularly significant as it will shape the governance and policies of Delhi for the next five years, impacting millions of residents.
Major Parties and Candidates
The incumbent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), headed by Arvind Kejriwal, is in the fray for the third consecutive time. Kejriwal, a Delhi based politician will fight election from New Delhi constituency. Another prominent leader of AAP, CM Atishi will contest from Kalkaji. The first list of 29 BJP candidates is out with Parvesh Verma against Kejriwal in New Delhi and Ramesh Bidhuri against Atishi in Kalkaji. The Congress party has declared its candidates for 48 seats in Delhi to strengthen the party base in Delhi, Sandeep Dikshit, son of former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit is contesting from New Delhi. These candidates are the main political players in Delhi and their campaigns will attract a lot of attention.
Campaign Strategies
The BJP is trying hard to recapture Delhi after having been out of power in the state for more than a quarter of a century. Their strategy is majorly based on corruption charges against AAP and minor civic problems like roads, drains, and services. The party has adopted the name ‘Parivartan’ literally meaning change, as a symbol of the new Delhi that the party wants to usher in. The AAP, however, is focusing on the progress made over the last decade in education, health care and other social services. The Congress party is also focusing on change and has vowed to work on problems that have affected Delhi while under the current leadership.
Election Commission's Role
The Election Commission of India has emphasized its commitment to conducting a free, fair, participative, accessible, inclusive, and safe election. With over 1.55 crore registered voters, including 2.08 lakh first-time voters, the election will be a significant event for the citizens of Delhi. The Commission has put measures in place to enhance transparency and integrity of the electoral process which include the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter verified paper audit trails (VVPATs). Also, measures are being taken to ensure that all the persons with disabilities, as voters, have a chance to vote in the election.
Conclusion
As the election date approaches, the political landscape in Delhi is heating up, with major parties and candidates gearing up for a fierce battle. The outcome of this election will not only shape the future of Delhi but also have broader implications for the national political scene. The results will be closely watched by political analysts and citizens alike, as they will provide insights into the public’s sentiment and the direction in which Delhi’s governance is headed.