In a strategic move ahead of the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, a section of the Delhi BJP is advocating for the party to announce a Chief Ministerial candidate. This comes as a response to the growing sentiment that having a prominent face could bolster the party’s chances against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
In the 2020 assembly elections, the BJP faced off against AAP without a designated CM candidate and suffered a significant defeat, securing only 8 out of the 70 seats. In contrast, AAP, with Kejriwal at the helm, clinched a landslide victory, winning 62 seats. This experience has led some senior BJP leaders to believe that presenting a strong CM candidate could unify the party’s campaign and increase its chances of winning the upcoming elections.
According to sources within the Delhi BJP, several leaders have already conveyed their views to the national leadership, emphasizing the potential benefits of declaring a CM face. The names being floated include prominent figures such as MPs Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Bansuri Swaraj, Manoj Tiwari, state president Virendra Sachdeva, former MP Parvesh Verma, and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Vijender Gupta.
“A CM face could project unity and streamline our campaign efforts,” said a senior BJP leader from Delhi. Another leader echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of having a central figure to challenge Kejriwal’s dominance in the capital.
However, not everyone within the party is on board with this idea. Critics point to the BJP’s experience in the 2015 Delhi Assembly elections, where Kiran Bedi was announced as the CM candidate. Despite her high-profile candidacy, the BJP faced a crushing defeat, winning only 3 seats while AAP secured 67.
As the debate continues, the final decision rests with the national leadership, who are expected to weigh in on the matter soon.
On the other side, AAP remains confident in its leadership, with Arvind Kejriwal set to be the party’s face for the elections. Despite being embroiled in the Delhi excise policy case and currently lodged in Tihar jail, AAP is optimistic about Kejriwal securing a fourth consecutive term as Delhi’s Chief Minister.
