As the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for the Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed confidence in his party’s triumph. The elections will be held in a single phase on February 5, with counting set for February 8.
Kejriwal’s Message to Workers
In a statement shared on X, Kejriwal rallied AAP workers:
“The date of the election has been announced. All the workers are ready to enter the fray with full strength and enthusiasm. You are our biggest strength. This election will be between the politics of work and the politics of abuse. The people of Delhi will have faith in our politics of work. We will definitely win.”
AAP Confident in Preparations
Delhi Minister Gopal Rai asserted that AAP is fully prepared for the elections, with the names of all 70 candidates already announced.
“The people of Delhi have been waiting for this, and I am happy that they will bring back Arvind Kejriwal’s government to power,” Rai stated.
AAP leader Priyanka Kakkar echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the party’s connection with the people:
“The Aam Aadmi Party always stays amongst the people and works for them. The public has given us immense support, and we trust they will continue to bless us in this election.”
Opposition Stirs the Battle
The BJP has fielded Parvesh Verma, son of former Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma, against Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi assembly constituency, while Congress has nominated Sandeep Dikshit, son of former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit.
Verma, calling the elections the “festival of democracy,” accused Kejriwal of using EVMs as an excuse:
“Leaders of the INDI alliance talk about EVMs where they know they are going to lose. BJP is going to form its government next month.”
Election and Voter Details
The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into effect immediately after the announcement of election dates and will remain active until the process concludes.
Key Dates:
- Last date for filing nominations: January 17
- Scrutiny of nominations: January 18
- Last date for withdrawal of candidature: January 20
The final voter list, released on January 6, recorded 1,55,24,858 registered voters, reflecting a 1.09% increase.
Background and Context
In the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections, AAP achieved a landslide victory, winning 62 of 70 seats, while the BJP secured eight seats. Congress, despite ruling Delhi for 15 years prior to 2013, has failed to win any seats in the last two elections.