As Delhi gears up for the Assembly elections on February 5, 2025, All India Congress Committee (AICC) Delhi In-charge Qazi Nizamuddin expressed confidence that Congress’s appeal to the electorate will resonate deeply, stressing the party’s focus on real issues that affect the daily lives of Delhiites. Nizamuddin emphasized that the Congress campaign will not revolve around empty promises but on pledges that have been successfully implemented in Congress-ruled states.
“Congress only announces what we have already implemented in Congress-ruled states. We don’t make empty promises,” said Nizamuddin, underscoring that the party’s vision aligns with tangible outcomes that have already been realized.
Key priorities for Congress, according to Nizamuddin, include:
- Cleaning the Yamuna,
- Ensuring women’s safety,
- Eliminating corruption, and
- Combating unemployment.
These issues, he claimed, have been sidelined by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Nizamuddin pointed out that the people of Delhi are keen to vote for a cleaner Yamuna, improved safety for women, a corruption-free governance model, and job creation. He highlighted the failures of the current AAP government in these areas, positioning Congress as the party that can bring about real and lasting change.
Fellow Congress leader Harish Rawat added that the election results will mark a return to developmental policies reminiscent of Sheila Dikshit’s tenure as Delhi’s Chief Minister. He pointed to a growing desire among the people of Delhi for the development witnessed during the previous Congress government, which he believes had a stronger focus on growth and infrastructure.
The Election Commission has set the election date for February 5, with vote counting scheduled for February 8. Nominations will close by January 17, and the scrutiny of nominations will take place on January 18, with the last date for withdrawal set for January 20.
The BJP has launched a strong campaign, accusing the AAP of corruption and Misgovernance, while AAP, aiming for a third consecutive term, is focusing on its successes in education and healthcare.
In the battle for the New Delhi seat, the BJP has fielded Parvesh Verma, former MP and son of former Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma, to challenge Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Congress has also entered the contest with Sandeep Dikshit, the son of former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit, hoping to revive Congress’s influence in the heart of the city.
For the Kalkaji seat, the BJP has nominated former MP Ramesh Bidhuri to take on Delhi CM Atishi, while Congress has fielded Alka Lamba, a former MLA.
Despite Congress’s dominant rule in Delhi for 15 consecutive years, the party has faced significant challenges in recent elections, with no seats won in the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections, where AAP secured 62 out of 70 seats. The BJP managed only eight seats, leaving Congress struggling to reclaim its influence in the capital.
The upcoming election presents a significant challenge for all parties, with each focusing on critical issues that will determine Delhi’s future political landscape.