Elections

The intense campaigning for the Delhi Assembly election, scheduled for February 5, 2025, has come to a close, marking the beginning of the mandatory silence period. With 699 candidates competing across 70 constituencies, the election is a critical test for the AAP, aiming for a third consecutive term, while the BJP seeks to reclaim power. Voters will head to 13,766 polling stations, with significant focus on key candidates like Arvind Kejriwal, Atishi, and Manish Sisodia from AAP, as well as BJP’s Parvesh Verma and Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit. Amid the political rivalry, promises of freebies, including cash grants and free healthcare, have been central to party campaigns. Security has been beefed up with over 30,000 police personnel ensuring a peaceful election. Voting will take place on February 5, with results set for February 8.

As the Delhi assembly elections approach in just three days, intense campaigning erupted across the city with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge targeting each other. The BJP held 80 rallies, accusing AAP of corruption, while Kejriwal launched a campaign against BJP’s alleged intimidation tactics. Kharge, in a scathing attack, labeled Modi as the "chief of liars" and criticized Kejriwal for betraying anti-corruption ideals. With the February 5 election fast approaching, the 70-seat Delhi assembly is set for a fierce triangular contest between AAP, BJP, and Congress.

At a rally in Mustafabad, Union Minister Amit Shah criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), urging the people of Delhi to "sweep AAP out with a broom" in the upcoming elections. Shah branded the Delhi government as a “3G” regime, accusing it of corruption, sheltering illegal immigrants, and engaging in scams. He called on Delhiites to choose between those responsible for riots and those who restored peace. In response, AAP accused the BJP of using violence to intimidate opponents, following an alleged assault on AAP MLA Mohinder Goyal in Rohini. With the election date nearing, the battle between the two parties intensifies.

In a significant blow to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), eight of its MLAs have resigned and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) just days before the Delhi Assembly elections. The defectors, including Vandana Gaur, Rohit Mehraulia, and Girish Soni, expressed dissatisfaction with the party's decisions, particularly after being denied tickets to contest the upcoming polls. AAP’s internal rift deepened as some former members cited a loss of faith in Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership. The defections have strengthened BJP’s position ahead of the February 5 elections, with the party optimistic about its chances of regaining power in Delhi.

Arvind Kejriwal, national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), urged Delhi’s voters to choose between the “Kejriwal model,” which focuses on public welfare, and the “BJP model,” where public funds benefit the rich. He accused the BJP-led central government of waiving off ₹10 lakh crore in debts for 400-500 individuals over the last five years. As the Delhi assembly elections approach, Kejriwal promised continued welfare schemes under AAP, while warning that the BJP would halt such initiatives if it came to power. The statements come amid intense political campaigning, with clashes over issues like the polluted Yamuna river and corruption allegations.