Kejriwal vs. Modi: Delhi election set to reshape India’s political landscape

Delhi: The political landscape in Delhi is heating up as the national capital braces for the high-stakes assembly elections on February 5, 2025. The election season has seen intense clashes between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with Congress also vying for relevance in the fiercely contested battle. A crucial meeting between AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister Atishi, and the Election Commission of India took place, underscoring the gravity of the upcoming polls.

The race for power: AAP, BJP, and Congress

With AAP seeking a third consecutive term, the party is relying on its governance track record and welfare schemes to secure victory. Meanwhile, the BJP is making a determined push to reclaim power in Delhi after a 25-year-long wait. The Congress, which once ruled Delhi under the late Sheila Dikshit, is attempting a revival after failing to secure a single seat in the last two elections.

Key election highlights

• Polling Schedule: Voting will take place on Wednesday, February 5, from 7 AM to 6 PM, with results announced on February 8.

• Polling Stations and Candidates: The election spans 70 constituencies, covering 13,766 polling stations, with 699 candidates contesting.

• Security Measures: Over 30,000 police personnel, 220 paramilitary units, and drone surveillance are deployed to ensure smooth elections.

• Exit Poll Ban: The Election Commission has prohibited the conduct and publication of exit polls between 7 AM and 6:30 PM on polling day.

• Voter-Friendly Initiatives: The Election Commission has introduced a Queue Management System (QMS) app for real-time crowd updates, alongside special provisions for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

• Presidential Involvement: Chief Electoral Officer R. Alice Vaz presented the voter information slip to President Droupadi Murmu as part of an awareness campaign.

High-profile candidates and key constituencies

• New Delhi: Former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal faces BJP’s Parvesh Verma and Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit.

• Kalkaji: AAP’s Atishi takes on Congress’s Alka Lamba and BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri.

• Jangpura: AAP’s Manish Sisodia competes against BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah and Congress’s Farhad Suri.

• Shakur Basti: Senior AAP leader Satyendar Jain is up against BJP’s Karnail Singh.

• Malviya Nagar: AAP’s Somnath Bharti faces BJP’s Satish Upadhyay and Congress’s Jitendra Kumar Kochar.

The battle for Delhi’s political future

As the city prepares to cast its vote, the contest remains unpredictable. With AAP navigating corruption allegations, BJP leveraging anti-incumbency sentiment, and Congress striving for relevance, the outcome will shape the future of Delhi’s governance.