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The upcoming Delhi Assembly elections in 2025 are shaping up to be a highly contested and significant event in Indian politics. Scheduled for February 5th, 2025, the elections will see a three-way battle primarily between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Indian National Congress. The political landscape has been significantly altered by recent events, notably the resignation and subsequent release from jail of AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal following corruption charges. This development has injected considerable uncertainty into the election, adding a layer of intrigue to an already fiercely competitive race. The BJP and Congress are actively campaigning, deploying their key leaders to secure votes and challenge AAP’s dominance.
The election will be held in a single phase across all 70 constituencies of Delhi. Polling stations will open at 7:00 am and close at 6:30 pm on February 5th. Government offices, schools, and some private offices will be closed on election day, while others may offer flexible working hours to allow employees to vote. The Election Commission is urging all eligible Delhi citizens to participate in the democratic process and exercise their right to vote. The scale of the election, encompassing the entire city's constituencies, ensures that the results will have a profound impact on the future political trajectory of Delhi.
The counting of votes and the declaration of results are scheduled for February 8th, 2025. Exit polls, offering projections based on voter surveys conducted immediately after voting, are expected to be released in the evening of February 5th, after 5:00 pm. These polls will likely generate considerable media attention and speculation regarding the outcome of the election. However, it's crucial to remember that exit polls are not definitive and should be viewed with caution, as they are not always accurate predictors of the final results.
Several key constituencies and candidates are receiving considerable attention. The New Delhi constituency is particularly noteworthy, featuring a high-profile contest between AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal, BJP’s Parvesh Verma, and Congress’s Sandeep Dixit. Other key constituencies and prominent candidates include Patparganj (Avadh Ojha – AAP, Ravinder Singh Negi – BJP, Anil Chaudhary – Congress), Rohini (Pradeep Mitta – AAP, Vijender Gupta – BJP), Kalkaji (Atishi Kapoor – AAP, Ramesh Bidhuri – BJP, Alka Lamba – Congress), and Jangpura (Manish Sisodia – AAP, Sardar Tarvinder Singh Marwah – BJP, Farhad Suri – Congress). The diversity of candidates and the intensity of the campaigning in these constituencies reflect the overall competitiveness of the election.
The 2020 Delhi elections saw a landslide victory for AAP, which secured 62 seats with BJP managing only 8 seats, despite achieving 39% of the vote share. This result represented a significant decline from AAP's performance in the 2015 elections, where they won 67 seats and secured over 50% of the vote. The upcoming election will test whether AAP can maintain its dominance, or if BJP or Congress can make significant inroads. The outcome of this election will significantly impact not only the governance of Delhi but also have wider repercussions on national politics, providing valuable insights into public opinion and preferences ahead of potential national elections in the future. The current political climate, shaped by national issues and local concerns, presents a complex scenario that will greatly influence the voter choices in February.
The stakes are undeniably high for all parties. For AAP, retaining power will be a testament to their governance record and policies implemented over the past five years. For BJP, a substantial gain in seats would symbolize a significant resurgence in a crucial state. For Congress, a better performance than in 2020 is essential to revive its presence and relevance in Delhi politics. The next few weeks leading up to the election will be pivotal in shaping the narrative and influencing voter decisions. The campaigns will intensify, with candidates and parties deploying various strategies to reach and convince voters. The eventual outcome will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the political landscape of Delhi and beyond. The media, both traditional and social media, will play a critical role in disseminating information and shaping public discourse surrounding the election. It will be essential to critically assess information from various sources, distinguishing between factual reporting, political commentary, and opinion pieces, ensuring informed and responsible participation in the democratic process.
Source: Delhi Elections 2025: Voting date, exit poll, election results, know all details