Delhi assembly election dates to be announced at 2 pm

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The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to announce the dates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections at 2 pm on Tuesday, setting the stage for a fierce electoral fight between the incumbent AAP, the BJP, and the Congress.

The elections in 70 constituencies are likely to be held in a single phase in the second week of February. The AAP, led by former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, is seeking to retain power for a third consecutive term, while the BJP is eyeing to wrest power in the national capital. The Congress is also preparing for a strong fight, hoping to emerge as a surprise winner.

The Assembly elections are being seen as a prestige battle for all camps. After Kejriwal resigned as Chief Minister following his bail in the liquor policy case in September last year, the AAP declared that he would return to power once the people of Delhi repose their trust in him. Meanwhile, the BJP is pulling out all the stops to unseat the AAP, accusing the party of corruption at every level.

The AAP swept the 2015 and 2020 elections with 67 and 62 seats, respectively, and the BJP was left with single digits in those elections. The Congress, meanwhile, drew blank, after ruling Delhi for 15 years. However, the opposition parties believe that political dynamics have shifted in their favour since then, while AAP hopes for popular approval of their welfare schemes, despite the opposition’s allegations.

While the Congress and AAP contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections jointly under the banner of the INDIA bloc, they will be contesting the Assembly polls separately.

Key issues such as governance, development, corruption and public services are expected to dominate the campaign discourse. The AAP is likely to highlight its achievements in education, healthcare, and infrastructure development during its tenure. On the other hand, the BJP is expected to focus on national issues and its vision for Delhi’s future, also highlighting the alleged corruption and unfilled poises by the AAP. The Congress will also aim to present itself as a viable alternative.

All three parties have announced their initial list of candidates for the Assembly polls. Kejriwal is set to face former BJP MP Parvesh Sahib Singh and former Congress MP Sandeep Dikshit, son of the late Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, in the New Delhi constituency.

Chief Minister Atishi will be fighting against Alka Lamba of the Congress and former South Delhi BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri in the Kalkaji seat.

The term of the 70-member Assembly ends on February 23, and elections have to be held before that to constitute a new House.

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