The Delhi Assembly elections for 2025 have drawn nationwide attention as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Indian National Congress (INC) compete for control over the capital’s 70 legislative seats. With voting taking place today, February 5, and results expected on February 8, this election marks a crucial political moment in India’s governance landscape.
Key Contenders and Their Constituencies
- New Delhi – Arvind Kejriwal (AAP) vs. Parvesh Verma (BJP) vs. Sandeep Dikshit (Congress)
Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi’s sitting Chief Minister, has consistently contested and won from the New Delhi constituency. This year, he faces BJP’s Parvesh Verma and Congress’ Sandeep Dikshit. Kejriwal’s past victories were significant, with a margin of over 21,000 votes in 2020. His campaign continues to rely on AAP’s flagship welfare schemes. - Malviya Nagar – Somnath Bharti (AAP) vs. Satish Upadhyay (BJP) vs. Jitendra Kumar Kochar (Congress)
AAP’s Somnath Bharti has been a dominant force in Malviya Nagar, securing consecutive wins in the last three elections. BJP’s Satish Upadhyay and Congress’ Jitendra Kumar Kochar are vying to unseat him.
Campaign Strategies and Promises
1) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP): Continuing the Welfare Agenda
AAP, led by Arvind Kejriwal, has based its campaign on governance achievements, particularly in education, healthcare, and public welfare. Notable schemes include:
- Mahila Samman Yojana – Providing ₹2,100 per month to women.
- Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana – Offering ₹18,000 per month to temple priests and gurdwara granthis.
- Free Water & Electricity – Continued promise of free basic utilities.
- Expansion of Mohalla Clinics – Strengthening primary healthcare services.
AAP has positioned itself as the champion of free services and governance reforms, emphasizing its achievements over the past decade.
2) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): A Push for Change
The BJP has centered its campaign around anti-corruption rhetoric and promises to improve governance. Their strategy has included:
- Parivartan Yatra – A large-scale outreach program criticizing the Kejriwal-led AAP government.
- Allegations of Mismanagement – Highlighting water shortages, pollution, and alleged corruption in AAP’s tenure.
- Development & Infrastructure – Focus on urban development, metro expansion, and law enforcement reforms.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his rallies, has repeatedly called AAP’s governance an ‘Aapda’ (disaster), stressing the need for a BJP-led administration in Delhi.
3) Indian National Congress (Congress): Reviving the Old Glory
Once a dominant force in Delhi, Congress is fighting for relevance in this election. Their major promises include:
- Universal Health Insurance – Up to ₹25 lakh coverage for every Delhi resident.
- Pyari Didi Yojana – Providing ₹2,500 per month to women.
- Focus on Pollution & Inflation – Proposing solutions to combat air quality deterioration and rising prices.
- Dilli Nyay Yatra – A campaign highlighting public grievances and policy failures.
Congress is banking on its legacy of governance before AAP’s rise, aiming to attract voters disillusioned with both AAP and BJP.
Election Day and Public Sentiment
With over 15 million eligible voters, the turnout in today’s election will be a key indicator of public sentiment.
- AAP’s Strengths – Strong welfare schemes, loyal voter base, and governance track record.
- BJP’s Edge – Central government backing, aggressive campaign, and focus on corruption allegations.
- Congress’ Hope – Revival of traditional support, especially among older voters.
Political analysts predict a closely contested election, especially with BJP aggressively challenging AAP’s long-standing rule in Delhi.
What’s at Stake?
This election will determine whether Arvind Kejriwal secures a third consecutive term or if BJP manages to break AAP’s dominance in the capital. Congress, though a distant third, hopes to reclaim some lost ground.
With polling concluded today and results set to be announced on February 8, Delhi’s political future hangs in balance. Will AAP’s welfare-driven model prevail, or will BJP’s call for governance reforms find resonance? The answer awaits in the counting rooms.
