New Delhi is gearing up for its most consequential political showdown yet, with the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 5, 2025, where over 15.5 million voters will cast their ballots across 13,766 polling stations. The contest will determine the political fate of the capital’s three main contenders: the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Indian National Congress (INC).
The stakes are high as the AAP, led by Atishi after the resignation of former CM Arvind Kejriwal amid corruption allegations, seeks to secure its third consecutive term. Kejriwal, who has been instrumental to the party's previous victories, will contest from New Delhi against BJP's Parvesh Verma and Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit.
Voting will begin at 7 am and continue until 6 pm, with the counting of votes slated for February 8. Given the intense competition, with BJP aiming to reclaim power after more than 25 years, both AAP and INC are under pressure to mobilize their support bases.
This year, 699 candidates have been fielded across 70 constituencies, with women comprising 95 of the candidates and the third gender represented by one. The demographic diversity of Delhi voters includes approximately 83.76 lakh men and 72.36 lakh women eligible to vote, plus 1,267 third-gender voters. Each party has customized its campaign strategies to resonate with these distinct pools of voters.
Both AAP and BJP have focused heavily on welfare schemes, though the messaging varies. AAP has made headlines by touting initiatives like free education and healthcare, free travel for women, and significant subsidies for low-income families, promising savings of nearly Rs 25,000 monthly for households. This goes hand-in-hand with their pledge to provide Rs 2,100 monthly to eligible women, along with free treatment for seniors.
On the other hand, the BJP has upped the ante with competitive offers, pledging Rs 2,500 as monthly honorarium for women and enhancing pensions for senior citizens. BJP's manifesto also includes provisions for Ayushman Bharat, free gas cylinders for impoverished families, and economic support for small traders and youth internships.
Congress, vying for relevance after losing its foothold, promises to deliver Rs 8,500 monthly for unemployed individuals and cash support for women and small businesses. The party’s pitch also includes eliminating bills for low-energy consumers and providing substantial insurance cover for residents.
The electoral battle has been marked by sharp exchanges between the AAP and BJP. Each party has accused the others of violating election protocols, contributing to the charged pre-election atmosphere. All factions are openly courting Poorvanchali voters, who form about one-fourth of the electorate. BJP has matied with regional parties from Bihar to capitalize on this vote segment.
The Election Commission has prepared extensively to facilitate smooth, fair elections and has deployed nearly 30,000 police personnel and paramilitary forces across sensitive polling stations. According to R Alice Vaz, chief electoral officer, thousands of election officials and monitors have also been assigned to oversee the polling.
With all polling stations and activities being closely monitored, the EC has prohibited the use of any electronic devices within voting locations. They’ve also introduced real-time crowd management apps, ensuring citizens can gauge attendance at polling places, thereby enhancing their voting experience.
Due to the holiday declared for election day, various public services like banks and schools will remain closed. Yet, public transport, especially the Delhi Metro, will maintain operations, commencing as early as 4 am to assist voters on their way to the polls.
With palpable tension surrounding the elections, the road to the Delhi Assembly will be pivotal not only for the political parties but also for the governance style of the capital. Citizens are being urged to partake actively, as every vote bears the weight of shaping the political dynamics of Delhi for the future.
Polling day promises to be both historic and decisive, culminating in results projected to reshape Delhi's political canvas when they are announced on February 8. The significance of voter participation cannot be overemphasized; it is not merely about choosing representatives but directly impacting legislation and governance.