Voting is currently underway in 58 seats across seven states and one Union Territory in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha election today. Delhi and Haryana are voting in a single phase, while for the seventh and final phase, 57 seats will remain.
One of the most closely watched contests is in the national capital, Delhi, where the BJP secured all seven seats in 2019. This time, Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party is aiming to make inroads with its "Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se" campaign, contesting four seats, with its ally Congress contesting three.
Direct competition between BJP and INDIA bloc
The battle in Delhi has become particularly intriguing as it is a direct competition between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the INDIA bloc parties – the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Notably, the BJP has replaced all but one of its Members of Parliament (MP) for the upcoming 2024 elections. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), led by Mayawati, is the only other national party besides the BJP that has put forth candidates in all seven seats of Delhi.
Throughout this election phase, all seven seats have witnessed intense campaigns, rallies, and roadshows led by leaders from various political parties.
The Lok Sabha election in Delhi took a turn when the Enforcement Directorate arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the alleged Delhi Liquor policy scam on March 21, shortly after the Election Commission of India announced the general election poll schedule.
Kejriwal's release intensified the campaign
Kejriwal was granted interim bail on May 10, just two weeks before the polling day, which intensified the campaign in Delhi. During this period, Kejriwal actively campaigned for both his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress party candidates, being a key figure in the opposition's INDIA bloc formed the previous year.
With Kejriwal's bail extended until June 1, which is during the last phase of the general elections, the results will be announced on June 4.
INDIA bloc leveraged sympathy wave
The INDIA bloc seems to be leveraging the sympathy wave generated by Kejriwal's arrest. The AAP-Congress campaign in Delhi has prominently featured the slogan 'jail ka jawab vote se' (respond to jail with votes). But many observers believe the Swati Maliwal assault controversy and the arrest of Kejriwal's PA has harmed AAP's prospects in the elections and BJP left no stone unturned to derive political mileage from the incident.
In contrast, the BJP's campaign focused on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development agenda while questioning Kejriwal's credibility, given his past as an anti-corruption crusader now facing accusations in a money laundering case.
During a rally in West Delhi's Dwarka on May 22, PM Modi emphasized the importance of supporting the BJP for the progress of the country. He also criticized the Congress, referencing the 1984 riots where Sikhs were tragically affected.
Cong's bid for revival in Delhi
The upcoming May 25 election holds significance for the Congress party as well. The historically prominent party, which held power in Delhi for 15 years, is aiming for a resurgence in the national capital. Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi recently urged the people of Delhi to support INDIA bloc candidates during the upcoming polling on May 25.
While the Congress members have actively campaigned alongside AAP, the party has encountered internal challenges following its decision to form an alliance with AAP, its long-standing rival in Delhi. Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely resigned, citing differences with the party leadership, and subsequently joined the BJP.
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