Key Points:
- BJP gears up for Delhi Assembly elections, bringing NDA allies like JDU, LJP, and HAM into the fold.
- NDA’s strategy targets regional and linguistic voter bases, focusing on Purvanchali and South Indian communities.
- High-profile leaders, including Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, to spearhead campaigns.
- BJP plans to allocate seats to allies, learning from past election shortcomings.
New Delhi: While the official announcement for the Delhi Assembly elections 2024 is still awaited, political parties have already begun strategizing. This time, the BJP is leaving no stone unturned by leveraging its NDA alliance to secure an edge over the opposition. The Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), led by Jitan Ram Manjhi, is also expected to contest in the Delhi elections, marking a notable expansion of the alliance’s reach.
NDA’s Collaborative Strategy
At a high-level meeting held at BJP President JP Nadda’s residence, which saw the participation of leaders like Home Minister Amit Shah, the BJP indicated its intention to contest the elections in collaboration with its allies, including JDU, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), and HAM. The party is planning to allocate seats strategically, building on its previous experience.
During the 2019 Delhi Assembly elections, the BJP had allotted two seats to JDU and one to LJP, but faced defeats in all three constituencies. This time, the BJP is determined to refine its strategy to ensure better outcomes.
Targeting Regional Voter Bases
A significant part of BJP’s campaign revolves around engaging voters from Purvanchal, which includes Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand. These communities comprise nearly 25% of Delhi’s electorate, influencing results in over 20 constituencies. Areas like Gokalpur, Matiala, Dwarka, Nangloi, and Karawal Nagar are Purvanchali strongholds and are pivotal to BJP’s strategy.
To bolster this effort, NDA leaders from Bihar will actively campaign in these regions. Prominent figures like Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and Union Minister Chirag Paswan are expected to lead rallies to connect with Purvanchali voters.
Focus on South Indian Voters
Recognizing the importance of South Indian communities in Delhi, the BJP plans to deploy leaders like Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu and Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde to campaign in areas with Marathi and Telugu-speaking populations. These include Mayur Vihar, RK Puram, Kalkaji, Rohini, and Dilshad Garden, home to a substantial Telugu-speaking population of 8–9 lakh among Delhi’s 30 lakh South Indians.
Learning from Past Elections
The BJP-NDA alliance is also addressing lessons learned from the Jharkhand elections, emphasizing coordination among alliance partners and tailoring campaign strategies to specific voter demographics. This includes leveraging regional and linguistic identities to create a comprehensive appeal across Delhi’s diverse electorate.
The Opposition’s Challenge
As BJP strengthens its position, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress continue to prepare independently. AAP, led by Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, and Congress are yet to reveal how they plan to counter BJP’s aggressive strategy. With NDA’s focus on regional, linguistic, and community-based outreach, the opposition parties may face an uphill battle to reclaim voter support.
Will BJP’s Master Plan Work?
With the BJP adopting an all-inclusive approach and deploying high-profile leaders for campaigns, the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections promise to be a fierce contest. The key question remains: Will BJP’s collaboration with NDA allies and targeted voter outreach lead to success, or will the opposition find a way to counter this master plan? The electoral battle for Delhi is heating up, and the stakes have never been higher.
