Polling Begins at 7 AM Tomorrow.
The stage is set for the 2025 Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, starting at 7 AM on February 5, 2025. More than 1.55 crore registered voters will manifest their opinions and decide the political fate of their national capital, spread across 70 assembly constituencies.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has been in power for almost a decade now, braces itself for a tough fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC).
Background & Political Scene
In the 2020 elections, AAP recorded an overwhelming victory, claiming 62 out of 70 seats. The BJP got 8, while Congress couldn’t even open its account.
The political scenario has changed since; in September 2024, AAP leader and then CM Arvind Kejriwal resigned after being arrested on corruption charges. Atishi Marlena became the CM in his stead. Yet, AAP continues to emphasize welfare schemes and developmental initiatives.
Election campaigns have seen an avalanche of promises to woo voters:
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP): Among various schemes initiated by the AAP, the prominent ones included the Mahila Samman Yojana that offered ₹2,100/monthly for women, and Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana where priests were given ₹18,000.
AAP also continues to take pride in having strengthened public services such as education and healthcare.
BJP: The party organized Parivartan Yatra, accusing the AAP government of corruption. PM Narendra Modi, while addressing a rally at Rohini, slammed the present government about water scarcity and pollution, labeling it as “Aapda(a disaster).”
The BJP manifesto included Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, which guaranteed ₹2,500 per month for women, an increase in pensions for senior citizens, and subsidies for LPG cylinders.
The same promises include continuing the existing organised schemes: free electricity for households with consumption below 200 units and free bus travel for women.
INC: Congress carried out the Dilli Nyay Yatra, promising to address pollution, inflation, and unemployment. The party promises universal health insurance up to ₹25 lakhs for the entire population of Delhi.
In addition, Pyari Didi Yojana promises ₹2,500 per month to women, inspired by a similar scheme in Karnataka.
Key contests and candidates
There are several high-profile constitutions that are making for huge battles:
New Delhi constituency: Former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal contests against former West Delhi MP Parvesh Sahib Singh (BJP) and former Congress MP Sandeep Dikshit.
From Kalkaji, Chief Minister Atishi Marlena faces off against Alka Lamba (Congress) and former South Delhi BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri.
Election logistics and voter information
The Election Commission has set up 13,033 polling stations in 2,697 places across Delhi.
There is an electorate of nearly 83.49 lakh male, 71.74 lakh female, and 1,261 transgender voters. The Model Code of Conduct is in place to make the elections free and fair.
As delhiites get set to vote, nothing is sure. While AAP fights for a third term, BJP and Congress are working on big breakthroughs.
Hence the outcome will be revealed on February 8 as to whether or not AAP will keep strong and the opposition parties might win.
