Delhi is bound for assembly polls next month. Led by its convener Arwind Kejriwal, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has set its eyes on retaining power in the national capital for the third time in a row. The party won assembly elections in 2015 (by 67 seats) and 2020 by 63 seats. Looking ahead to contest at the national level, the AAP may eye to bag all 70 seats now in Delhi to signal its advent. And gain a psychological advantage.
There is a perception that on the back of its wide grassroots appeal, plausible track record, resolute approach, and constructive voter outreach, the AAP has held the reins of power in Delhi. Yet again, there remain promising prospects for the party to go over the line in February 2025 polls. However the BJP and the Congress, the two formidable players, are all set to redeem themselves in the capital.
A cut throat competition from the BJP and Congress is inevitable. Neither overconfidence nor potshots (at these two parties) can endear Arwind Kejriwal – led party to the electorate. Admittedly the BJP is a force to reckon with. The party has time and again exhibited its unique knack: win against all odds through its unrivalled diagnosis and prescription with respect to the political landscape.
For the BJP has an ear to the ground and does not enter the field without doing good homework , trumping it — although not an uphill task — turns out to be a back breaking exercise for its political rivals. A good case in point is Haryana’s recent polls.
Denigrating the BJP or evaluating its performance in a bad light, are unlikely to pull the AAP through : the ruling BJP is reputed for carrying out praiseworthy development works alongside impactful governance initiatives across the country and the voting public treats the party largely on its merits. For Aam Aadmi Party’s triumph to happen, even mere poll promises could end in smoke. It is only an achievable and practicable plan of action that, if put before people, should see it in the driving seat in the upcoming elections.
As it is, AAP must come clean on its own track record in the run up to the polls. Its head honcho was cut to size when his last term as Delhi’s chief minister was not seen above board. Kejriwal ended up in jail for a brief stint. The episode tarnished his party’s credibility. Bouncing back can never be a cake walk for this party although an element of unpredictability has been a part of it in electoral politics. Has the AAP got the inkling that a bumpy road lies ahead for it? The ongoing endeavor of the party to be back in the saddle paints its desperate picture .
Kejriwal’s AAP is strongly placed given its local leadership and rich governance experience. It is noteworthy that the party’s focused attention on healthcare, education and subsidy on water and electricity — all has enriched its vote bank. The turnaround of Delhi’s government schools and the establishment of Mohalla Clinics have gained wide social sanction, giving AAP an edge over its rivals. The party’s recent promise of bringing up Sanjeevani Yojana –envisioning free hospital treatment for all senior citizens in Delhi– may earn it plenty of public goodwill. It could be a game changer.
To many voters, Kejriwal is a leader of great dedication to whom their welfare comes first. That raises his stature as a dependable political figure in Delhi’s political arena. Though he does not happen to be the only best choice for the electorate, he is certainly the man whose charisma pulls crowds towards his party.
True, the AAP has been getting the better of the BJP in Delhi’s Assembly elections since 2015. Yet, the BJP is a champion in winning; its strong leadership and competence to translate words into action make it virtually invincible. It is the BJP which abided by its poll promise: revoking of Article 370 against all odds. The party has considerable strength to outperform its opponents by capitalizing on its national level presence; by focusing on law and order issues, national progress and good foreign policy decisions. Under the BJP, India has become the fifth largest economy. Not to forget the party’s trump card– PM Narendra Modi’s charismatic leadership and unique crowd pulling capability.
Notwithstanding the Congress’s apparent overconfident posture, it is no longer a pushover. That the grand old party has displayed a better showing in the national elections 2024 and in some assembly polls can be a morale booster for it. The main opposition party is likely to win enormous electoral support and at the most consolidate its voter base in the country’s capital.
But for that to occur, rich expertise and staying down to earth remain key requirements. However Congress has a work in progress: overcome its leadership challenges and extend its winning abilities to change the voter dynamics. In Delhi, the scope for its comeback, in the current scenario, looks a far cry. All eyes, it is presumed, will be on BJP and AAP.
The upcoming election is anything but a plain sailing for any party by all accounts. If AAP can potentially back itself in light of its previous performances, the BJP’s huge fund of winning experience undergirded by its meticulous planning, campaigning with rigour , bright governance record and sufficient political acumen make it a favourite player to win the national capital.
It remains to be seen how the AAP overcomes the challenges from the BJP camp and Congress in the approaching polls. Going forward, the outcome will have implications on the national stage for all the three big contestants.
(Author is RK columnist and teacher by profession. Feedback: [email protected])
