The process of conducting the upcoming Delhi assembly polls is underway. Political activities are creating a range of excitement in the national capital as long meetings, discussions, campaign strategies and selection of suitable candidates are peaking up. The think tank of BJP held a seven-hour-long meeting on January 13 at the residence of Amit Shah to finalise the blueprint of the February 8 assembly polls, without revealing the chief ministerial face.
BJP wants to wipe out 2015 show
Judging by the mediocre results in the 2015 assembly polls, the BJP has intended to introduce several new faces, including four of its sitting MPs in the forthcoming election. The name of 45 probable candidates cropped up at the meeting of the top brass of the party. The saffron party has planned to send the candidates name to the party’s central election committee after finalising all the 70 candidates name this week.
Set to retain power
The BJP is ready to put a stiff challenge to ruling Aam Aadmi Party, while the Congress has saturated its chance in limited assembly segments. Kejriwal led AAP tasted a stupendous success bagging 67 out of 70 seats in the last assembly polls in 2015, aiming to repeat the same sort of show in 2020. Many experts consider the party as well-placed and in comfort zone. Some of the main reasons attributed to the likely success are Arvind Kejriwal government’s welfare schemes, such as free water, subsidised electricity, mohalla health clinics, free bus service for women, revamping of government schools and so on.
Muslim votes essential in 15 seats
As per the report, Delhi’s Muslim voters constitute about 13 per cent which may be decisive in at least 15 constituencies. Most of the Muslim voters are fully convinced with Kejriwal’s governance. But some sections of this community are upset with AAP for not taking the Citizenship Amendment Act seriously and showing solidarity with protesters or the injured Jamia students. This may shift a chunk of votes to the Congress and others.
Congress rebels join AAP
The election is around the corner, so politicians turning their coats have become apparently and blatantly visible. Some of the Congress leaders have decided to join AAP just weeks before the February 8 assembly polls. Two Congress leaders, Ram Singh Netaji and Vinay Mishra, jumped into the ship of Aam Aadmi Party on Monday in the presence of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and deputy CM Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh.
Congress may eat AAP’s vote
The BJP depends on the Congress as the saffron party hopes the grand old party will consume much of AAP’s votes, which would benefit the BJP. The Congress in 2017 Delhi Municipal Corporation elections bagged 21 per cent of the votes which proved futile for the AAP. Will this strategy of BJP, be successful, wait for four weeks from now.
AAP releases candidates name
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party is the first off the block in declaring its candidates. It unveiled all of its 70 candidates names on Tuesday after a marathon meeting for February 8 Delhi polls. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and deputy CM Manish Sisodia will contest from New Delhi and Patparganj constituencies respectively. The ruling party in Delhi has given tickets to 46 of the 61 sitting MLAs while at least 23 newcomers and eight women will be fielded in the upcoming assembly polls in Delhi.
AAP ropes in Prashant Kishor
The Aam Aadmi Party has left no stone unturned strategically. The party is moving like a well-oiled machine, and it has roped in Prashant Kishor-led political consultancy firm I-PAC for better result. This man can change the poll arithmetic without realising other parties. He had proved his worth in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, worked with the BJP and then in Bihar assembly polls Nitish hired him.
Rebels trigger gun
Sitting MLAs who failed to get a ticket have unleashed weapons on the Aam Aadmi Party. ND Sharma, sitting AAP MLA from Badarpur, on Tuesday said he has resigned from the party and accused it of selling tickets to candidates. He further added he would contest the upcoming polls but did not disclose if he would join another party or fight independently.
LJP to contest in 70 seats
However, BJP ally Lok Janshakti Party has decided to contest in all the 70 seats while releasing its first list of 15 candidates. People are anxiously waiting for the release of candidates name from the two other leading parties. The fierce battle is ahead for forming the next government in Delhi.
Poll officials have made it clear that over 1.46 crore voters are eligible to cast their vote in the February 8 assembly polls. January 21 is the last date of nomination, scrutiny will take place on January 22, and the last date for withdrawal of candidature would be January 24. In the forthcoming polls, technology like mobile apps, QR codes, social media interface, use of postal ballots, and so on will play a significant role. Such a medium would help in conducting free and fair polls in Delhi.
