February 5, 2025

Delhi Assembly Election 2025

The Delhi Legislative Assembly election is today, February 5, 2025, with polling stations open from 8 AM to 6 PM. Approximately 15.5 million voters can cast their ballots across 13,766 polling stations. The main contenders are the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Indian National Congress.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP):

Led by Arvind Kejriwal, AAP has governed Delhi for over a decade. Their campaign emphasizes welfare schemes, including the Mahila Samman Yojana, which provides ₹2,100 monthly to women, and the Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana, offering ₹18,000 to temple priests and gurdwara granthis. Despite recent corruption allegations and the arrest of key leaders, AAP denies any wrongdoing, labeling the charges as politically motivated.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP):

The BJP, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to unseat AAP by highlighting alleged corruption within the current administration. Their manifesto includes welfare initiatives such as the Mahila Samridhi Yojana, providing ₹2,500 monthly to women, increased pensions for senior citizens, and subsidies for LPG cylinders. The BJP also pledges to continue existing welfare schemes like free electricity for households consuming up to 200 units and free bus rides for women.

Indian National Congress:

The Congress party has conducted the “Dilli Nyay Yatra,” focusing on issues like pollution, inflation, unemployment, and waste management. They propose universal health insurance covering costs up to ₹25 lakhs for Delhi residents and the Pyari Didi Yojana, offering ₹2,500 monthly to women.

Key Issues:

The election discourse has been dominated by promises of welfare schemes and financial incentives, with environmental concerns notably absent from major campaign discussions. Both AAP and BJP have been criticized for their populist approaches, which may strain Delhi’s fiscal resources. Opinion polls suggest that AAP may retain power, owing to its strong voter base and focus on service delivery.

As voting concludes today, the results, expected on February 8, will significantly influence Delhi’s political landscape and could have broader implications for national politics.

Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, which failed to secure a majority of its own in last year’s national election but formed the government with coalition partners, has gained some lost ground by winning two state elections in northern Haryana and western Maharashtra states. It is up against the Aam Aadmi Party, or AAP, led by Arvind Kejriwal, that runs Delhi and has built a huge support base on the back of its popular welfare policies.

Delhi, a city of more than 20 million people, is a federal territory which Modi’s party has not been able to win for over 27 years, despite having a sizeable support base in the capital.

1. Key Takeaways from the Campaigns
  • The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has focused on its governance record, especially in education, healthcare, and free utilities. However, corruption allegations and legal troubles for key leaders have put them on the defensive.
  • The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is banking on anti-corruption sentiment and central welfare schemes but faces the challenge of having never won an assembly election in Delhi since 1998.
  • The Indian National Congress (INC) has attempted a revival but lacks a strong voter base in the capital after losing relevance in the past decade.
2. Dominant Issues in the Election
  • Welfare Promises: Every major party has announced financial assistance schemes, particularly targeting women and marginalized communities.
  • Corruption vs. Governance: BJP has attacked AAP over alleged corruption, while AAP has defended itself, highlighting its public service record.
  • Urban Challenges: Despite being a major concern, issues like pollution, water scarcity, and traffic congestion have taken a backseat in campaign rhetoric.
3. What Do Polls Indicate?
  • AAP’s Stronghold: Polls suggest AAP remains popular among lower and middle-class voters, thanks to subsidized services and grassroots outreach.
  • BJP’s Inroads: While BJP has a strong base in Lok Sabha elections, converting that to assembly seats remains a challenge.
  • Congress’ Role: While unlikely to win, Congress could play spoiler, splitting opposition votes.
4. What to Watch on Election Results Day (Feb 8, 2025)
  • Will AAP retain its dominance despite corruption allegations?
  • Can BJP break its losing streak in Delhi Assembly elections?
  • Will Congress see a revival or remain a marginal player?

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