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Sources in the BJP have said that they will be putting up a strong candidate against Arvind Kejriwal, unlike the perception in the media that it might be a friendly fight.
Sources have indicated that the BJP will be holding its Central Election Committee meeting and may declare the list soon. (Image: PTI)
As 2025 begins, national capital Delhi is set to witness Assembly Elections and in the fray are three political parties – Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Ahead of the big battle in the capital, the saffron party is yet to announce its list of candidates. On the other hand, the competing parties, AAP and Congress have made declarations about their major seats and candidates with former chief minister, Sheila Dikshit’s son Sandeep Dikshit all set to take on former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency. Sources in the BJP have said that they will be putting up a strong candidate against Kejriwal, unlike the perception that is being viewed in the media that it might be a friendly fight for the high profile seat or if the BJP may play the vote-cutter.
Sources have also indicated that the BJP will be holding its Central Election Committee meeting and may declare the list soon. “There will be just one central election committee meeting to put out the list of candidates. The BJP will also be talking to its allies, like JDU and LJP about the sharing of some seats,” sources added. It is also learnt that both these alliance partners who are part of the Modi government in the Centre have reached out to the BJP to get some seats to contest in Delhi.
As far as the issues are concerned, sources said that the BJP will focus on failed promises, and the corruption by the AAP, the ruling party in Delhi, where nearly the entire cabinet has been into jail on the grounds of corruption
The saffron party is also likely to give tickets to some of its former MPs who did not get a ticket in 2024 Lok Sabha elections like Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma and Ramesh Bidhuri amongst the others. Speculation is rife that Parvesh may contest against Kejriwal while, Bidhuri, who may contest from Kalkaji, will take on Chief Minister Atishi. Rumours have also been abuzz that the BJP may field former union minister Smriti Irani as its CM face in the Delhi elections. “There is no indication of any face declaration as of now,” top sources, however, indicated.
The AAP government has been in power in the national capital for the last decade and is currently seeking its third term in office. Meanwhile, the BJP, which has not been able to win Delhi since its last win in the 1980s, is hoping that the corruption image, coupled with the performance of the ruling government will pave way for them.
