New Delhi: The deadline for candidates to file their nomination papers for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections ends today. With the political battlefield heating up, major party leaders have stepped forward to officially enter the contest.
Sandeep Dikshit vs. Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi Seat
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit has filed his nomination earlier today, setting up a high-stakes contest against Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal from the New Delhi constituency. Dikshit, the son of former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit, is expected to put up a tough fight against Kejriwal, who has held the seat since 2013.
The Congress has been working to regain its lost political ground in Delhi after being reduced to zero seats in the last two Assembly elections. By fielding a strong candidate like Sandeep Dikshit, the party hopes to mount a significant challenge to AAP in the national capital.
BJP Announces Additional Candidates
On Thursday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced its third list of candidates, adding nine more names to the fray. Among the key names:
- Shikha Rai will contest from Greater Kailash, a constituency that has traditionally been a stronghold for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
- Anil Vashishth has been fielded from Babarpur, where BJP aims to make inroads against the ruling AAP.
The BJP, which has been out of power in Delhi since 1998, is leaving no stone unturned to challenge AAP’s dominance. The party has already released its two previous lists of candidates, covering a majority of the 70-member Delhi Assembly seats.
Delhi Assembly Elections: The Battle Ahead
With all major parties – AAP, BJP, and Congress – finalizing their candidates, the stage is now set for an intense electoral battle. The Delhi Assembly elections are being closely watched as a test of AAP’s governance model, BJP’s ability to capitalize on national issues, and Congress’s attempt to make a comeback.
As the nomination deadline closes today, the next crucial phase will be scrutiny of papers and the finalization of the candidate list, followed by intense campaigning in the coming weeks.
