
New Delhi: The much-anticipated Delhi Assembly elections are underway as voting begins across all 70 constituencies today. A total of 699 candidates are in the fray, with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress being the key contenders. The electoral battle will determine whether AAP secures a fourth consecutive term, whether BJP ends its 26-year-long wait for power in the capital, or if Congress manages to revive its dwindling presence.
Three-Way Contest Across Delhi
- AAP: Contesting all 70 seats, the party led by Arvind Kejriwal is banking on its governance model and public welfare schemes to secure another term.
- BJP: Fielding candidates in 68 seats, with two seats allocated to alliance partners JD(U) and LJP-R, the party is determined to break its losing streak in Delhi.
- Congress: Also contesting all 70 seats, the party is focused on regaining its traditional vote bank, which has shifted significantly toward AAP in recent years.
Spotlight on Hotly Contested Seats
Some constituencies have emerged as key battlegrounds due to high-profile candidates and intense competition:
- New Delhi Constituency:
- Arvind Kejriwal, AAP’s convenor and current Chief Minister, is seeking re-election.
- His challengers include Sandeep Dixit from Congress, son of former CM Sheila Dixit, and Pravesh Verma from BJP, son of former CM Sahib Singh Verma.
- This seat is a prestige battle with three political heavyweights vying for dominance.
- Kalkaji Constituency:
- CM Atishi from AAP faces a tough fight against BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri, who commands significant influence among Gurjar voters.
- Congress has fielded Alka Lamba, a fiery leader and former student activist, adding further intensity to this contest.
- Jangpura Constituency:
- Former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia has shifted from his previous constituency of Patparganj to contest here.
- He faces Congress candidate Farhad Suri in a close race. The BJP candidate is expected to play a decisive role in splitting votes.
A High-Stakes Election
This election holds immense significance for all three parties:
- AAP aims to cement its dominance by achieving a hat-trick of victories.
- BJP is making an aggressive push with hopes of ending its long-standing drought in Delhi politics.
- Congress is desperate to open its account after being wiped out in previous elections.
With these dynamics at play, this election promises an exciting showdown as voters decide who will shape Delhi’s future.