National Parties Shoot for Gold in Battle for Delhi

Key issues related to the well-being of people are lost in the vicious contest

- Shashi Shekhar

Why is there such a hoopla around the Delhi assembly election scheduled to be held in February? The answer is clear: Delhi assembly elections are unique as they have become a prestige match for three national parties.

Let's begin with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Its leader Arvind Kejriwal is in the fray and determined to win a fourth term. A lot of water has flown down the Yamuna since he assumed power in Delhi 12 years ago. AAP became a national political party in 2022, after it secured 12.9% of the total votes polled in the Gujarat assembly election. In Punjab, their government has a clear mandate. AAP is currently the only opposition party other than the Congress to be in power in two states.

This fact enthuses those who want a non-Congress, non-BJP government. But disturbing realities haunt AAP, too. Most of their founding leaders are no longer with the party. The party, which came to power on an anti-corruption agenda, itself has some top leaders facing jail terms on charges of corruption.