New Delhi, February 4: As Delhi approaches its Assembly elections, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera has emphasized the lasting influence of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, attributing much of the party’s strategy to her legacy. Khera acknowledged that the party’s campaign for the upcoming election is largely built on the foundation established by Dikshit, who served as Delhi’s longest-serving Chief Minister from 1998 to 2013.
Khera reflected on the profound impact of Dikshit’s governance on the city’s infrastructure. “Whether it’s the metro, buses, parks, clean fuels, or even the condition of the city’s roads, Sheila Dikshit’s legacy is visible everywhere,” he said, noting that her vision transformed Delhi during her tenure. Khera also highlighted the deep-rooted connection Delhiites have with her work, noting that many of the city’s key developments bear her imprint.
Khera’s comments also touched on the difficult 2013 election defeat for Congress, a loss which Khera attributes to multiple factors, despite the party’s significant contributions under Dikshit’s leadership. “She was very disappointed with the result. We asked ourselves, does performance and development not matter?” Khera said, acknowledging that the loss prompted significant introspection within the party.
The Congress spokesperson, who served as Dikshit’s political secretary during her first term, expressed confidence about the party’s prospects in the upcoming 2025 elections. “Politics is unpredictable, no one can say for sure when the messages resonate with the people,” Khera added. He compared the current scenario to Congress’ 1998 victory, noting that while AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) might hurt BJP’s vote share, the Congress would repeat its past success.
When discussing the party’s recent criticism of AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, Khera suggested that Congress is focusing its final campaign days on issues that resonate with voters. He also addressed the rapid buildup of political discourse in the final days of an election, saying, “The appetite for politics is made in the last 5-10 days… People are busy with their day-to-day struggles, and only in the final stretch does political messaging really matter.”
This election will see a high-profile contest in the New Delhi Assembly constituency, where Congress’ Sandeep Dikshit, AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal, and BJP’s Parvesh Verma are vying for the seat. Dikshit is seeking to maintain the family’s political legacy in the face of fierce competition from both AAP and BJP.