Alka Lamba, the Congress candidate for the Kalkaji assembly seat, launched her campaign with determination and confidence on Saturday, asserting her belief not only in herself but also in the discontent among voters against her rivals, Ramesh Bidhuri of the BJP and Atishi of AAP. "I don’t think the people of Kalkaji have liked BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri. There was anger among the people due to his language. With money and power, he also tried to influence counts at many of my polling booths," she stated during the campaign launch.
Lamba did not hold back her criticism of Atishi either, claiming, "I have seen immense anti-incumbency against Atishi. Even after being in power, she did not work for the people. Instead, she sought votes in the name of Arvind Kejriwal in her constituency." Allegations of poor governance and lack of tangible results from the AAP candidate dominated Lamba's rhetoric. She went on to criticize the AAP National Convenor, saying, "Iss baar vo bhaag nai, bhagaye jarahe. He is losing from New Delhi constituency," predicting significant losses for the AAP.
Gratitude for the support of senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi marked the last phase of her campaign as Lamba said, "I am happy Rahul Gandhi provided us strength in Kalkaji, which boosted our morale." With elections drawing near, Lamba expressed unwavering confidence: “Arvind Kejriwal is losing the New Delhi constituency, and Manish Sisodia and Atishi’s wickets are also going to fall.”
The fierce competition for the Delhi assembly elections is fueled by the efforts from all three major parties vying for dominance. AAP is attempting to secure its fourth consecutive term amid challenges from both the Congress party and the BJP, eager to regain control of the National Capital.
Vote counting began today, and the stakes are particularly high. Congress is attempting to bounce back after suffering losses in the previous elections, with exit polls indicating the BJP might have the upper hand this time. Yet, their leaders remain optimistic, with some insisting exit surveys have historically underestimated AAP's performance.
Atishi, the AAP leader and candidate from Kalkaji, described the election as more than merely political, framing it as a contest between "good and evil." She expressed confidence, stating, “I have full faith the people of Kalkaji and all of Delhi will support AAP and Arvind Kejriwal.” When asked about predictions for the election results, she cautioned, “The numbers will be in front of you by the evening.”
The electoral dynamic shifted when AAP faced criticism for the BJP’s strategic candidate placements, prompting Atishi to recognize the fierce competition. Yet, she emphasized, “If you look at AAP’s history, we started with nothing—no money, no manpower... the people of Delhi believed in us.”
Meanwhile, Lamba showcased her political resilience, stating, “Winning or losing is not the goal—solving Delhi’s problems is. Congress will fight until then.” This speaks volumes about her stance against the backdrop of potential electoral outcomes, emphasizing commitment over victory.
There’s no doubt Lamba's politically charged past shapes her approach today. Having transitioned from Congress to AAP and back, Lamba’s career has been anything but conventional. She quickly climbed the political ranks after entering as a student leader, making bold moves to assert her presence. She now faces the challenges of rekindling voter allegiance against candidates who've been at the forefront of Delhi’s political scene.
With vote counting underway, early trends indicate Lamba trailing against BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri. "I believe Arvind Kejriwal is going to lose his seat," she remarked, which emphasizes the shifting sentiments among the electorate. The political stage was set for intense rivalry, with AAP announcing reforms but also facing scrutiny for previous governance.
Overall, the 2025 Kalkaji assembly election stands as a significant moment not only for Alka Lamba but for the fabric of Delhi politics. How this electoral battle plays out could redefine power dynamics among Delhi's leading parties as they confront the electorate's expectations and grievances.