AAP may not do that well this time: Yashwant Deshmukh

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has governed Delhi for a decade, has taken the initiative in the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled for February 5, having already announced all 70 candidates. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), once again banking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its prominent figure, has released a list of 29 candidates.

The Congress, which previously dominated Delhi's political landscape with three consecutive terms from 1998 to 2013 but has not secured a single MLA since then, is now adopting a confrontational stance against both AAP and BJP. Nevertheless, some members of Congress remain optimistic about a potential alliance with AAP in the ten days leading up to the final nomination deadline on January 17. The counting of votes is set for February 8.

Many within AAP recognize that the elections in February 2025 present the party with its most significant challenges to date. Following a period during which its senior leadership, including national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, faced incarceration, the party has mounted a vigorous campaign, being the first to hit the ground running.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)

Kejriwal, along with his former deputy Manish Sisodia, has conducted two rounds of padayatra throughout the Capital. The party's candidates were announced weeks in advance, with several incumbent MLAs being replaced and some constituencies reassigned.

Although Atishi, the MLA from Kalkaji, was appointed to lead the city as Chief Minister last September, Arvind Kejriwal remains the face of AAP in Delhi, with the electoral slogan this time being ‘Phir laayenge Kejriwal’ (We will bring back Kejriwal). The party also unveiled its official campaign song of the same name shortly before the election dates were made public.

AAP's campaign has centred on the introduction of welfare initiatives, including a proposal to increase the monthly grant for non-taxpaying women to Rs 2,100 if re-elected, as well as providing healthcare coverage for all Delhi residents over the age of 60 in both government and select private hospitals.

Additionally, the party continues to leverage its popularity stemming from initiatives such as free water supply, free electricity up to 200 units per month, and complimentary bus rides for women.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

The BJP is expected to unveil its second list of candidates on Tuesday, marking its 27th year without political power at the Assembly level in Delhi. Thus far, the party has predominantly utilized Prime Minister Modi as the central figure in its campaign within the capital.

During the two rallies addressed by the Prime Minister last week, he promoted the vision of the BJP-led Central Government to transform Delhi into “a world-class capital,” contrasting it with the model proposed by the AAP.

In his second public address, Modi frequently referred to the Delhi government as the AAP-da government and emphasized what appears to be the party's primary campaign slogan — AAP-da nahi sahenge, badal ke rahenge ("We will not tolerate this disaster, we will bring a change").

In a shift from previous strategies—particularly the BJP's 2020 campaign, which focused on issues like NRC-CAA, nationalism, and the surgical strike in Balakot—the BJP has so far concentrated its narrative on the Central Government's contributions to Delhi's development, addressing localized concerns such as poor road conditions, water and sewage problems, traffic congestion, and inadequate housing for the underprivileged.

Additionally, sources from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh indicate that the RSS is gathering feedback regarding the implications of Kejriwal’s announcement to provide remuneration for temple priests and gurdwara granthis, as the BJP's election manifesto is reportedly “almost ready,” according to a senior leader.

Indian National Congress (INC)

In the meantime, the Congress party has adopted a version of an honorarium for women citizens, drawing inspiration from other states as its primary electoral promise. Additionally, it has enlisted leaders like Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and representatives from the INDIA bloc government, led by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha in Ranchi, to bolster confidence among voters in Delhi regarding the effective execution of these initiatives.

To date, the Congress has positioned itself in opposition to both the BJP and its INDIA bloc ally, the AAP, in the Capital. This rivalry persists despite a collaborative effort for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, as the party accuses both opponents of undermining the city, which thrived under the leadership of Sheila Dikshit from 1998 to 2013, contrasting her legacy with both local and national challenges.

Thus far, the Delhi Congress has declared 48 candidates for the forthcoming elections, with its initial list published on December 12 of the previous year and a subsequent list on December 24.

Previously, the party initiated a month-long Dilli Nyay Yatra, inspired by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, aimed at revitalizing its voter base while applying pressure on the AAP. As part of its campaign, the party introduced its first electoral guarantee, the Pyari Didi Yojana, which is a direct cash transfer initiative providing a monthly allowance of Rs 2,500 to women.

However, tensions have arisen between the party's national leadership and its Delhi unit regarding a potential alliance with the AAP. Sources indicate that while the national leadership remains optimistic about a partnership, the confrontational approach of the Delhi unit's campaign has rendered this prospect unfeasible.

Both Kejriwal and Delhi Congress Chief Devender Yadav have explicitly ruled out the possibility of an alliance, while senior Congress figures such as Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have yet to participate in any public gatherings in the Capital.