Politics

The Delhi Assembly Election 2025 is set to be a fiercely contested battle, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) aiming for a third consecutive term, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seeks a comeback after over 25 years, and the Congress strives for a revival. Voting will take place on February 5, 2025, from 7 AM to 6 PM across 13,766 polling stations, with the counting of votes scheduled for February 8. Security measures are extensive, with 30,000 police personnel and 220 companies of paramilitary forces deployed. Key candidates include Arvind Kejriwal, Atishi, Manish Sisodia, and Satyendar Jain from AAP, as well as BJP’s Parvesh Verma, Alka Lamba from Congress, and others.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, responding to the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, highlighted his government's achievements, including the provision of 4 crore houses and over 12 crore toilets for the poor. He criticized the opposition, particularly Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing them of using the poor for photo ops and failing to understand the struggles of the underprivileged. Modi also emphasized the government's focus on long-term development, including the expansion of medical colleges, the success of Ayushman Bharat, and initiatives like LED bulb distribution, which saved citizens around Rs 20,000 crore. He reiterated the vision of a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) by 2047, urging MPs to put aside political differences and work towards the country’s prosperity.

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.

In a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, criticized the handling of key issues, including China’s alleged encroachment into Indian territory, the failure of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, and the selection process for Election Commissioners. Gandhi also expressed concerns over India’s lagging position in artificial intelligence due to a lack of data, and called for greater transparency in the electoral process, citing irregularities in Maharashtra’s voter rolls. Gandhi’s remarks sparked a sharp response from BJP leaders, with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accusing him of hypocrisy, particularly on issues like election commission reforms. The confrontation in Parliament underscored the growing tensions between the Congress and the ruling BJP as India heads into the 2024 general elections.

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.