Middle Class Holds the Key in Delhi Elections

In the run up to the Delhi assembly polls, all contenders have claimed to be champions of the poor, announcing a slew of welfare promises.

- Rahul Verma

In the run up to the Delhi assembly polls, all contenders have claimed to be champions of the poor, announcing a slew of welfare promises. While the Congress would be hoping to at least double its vote share and open the seat tally, the contest is essentially between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

The stark irony in the campaign has been that the middle class, a substantial chunk of Delhi's voter base, appears to have been largely sidelined in the pre-poll talk. Delhi, unlike other states and Union territories, has a large middle-class population, whose voting patterns have a significant impact on the electoral outcome. However, the Union Budget on Saturday has offered a bonanza for the middle class by delivering large cuts in personal income tax rates. It remains to be seen if it will make it to the poll talk—Delhi votes on Wednesday and the election campaign ends today.

That apart, will the BJP's Delhi-specific campaign promises be enough to end its nearly three-decade status of being the principal Opposition? Or will the AAP retain office for a third consecutive term?

The BJP's campaign has largely relied on attacking the AAP leadership over corruption charges, the "luxurious" lifestyle (based on allegations regarding the renovation of the CM bungalow during Arvind Kejriwal's tenure), and the non-fulfilment of several promises.