The political rivalry between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reached a fever pitch as the Delhi Assembly elections approach. With both parties leaving no stone unturned to sway voters, the latest round of their battle has spilled over onto social media. The AAP took the offensive by releasing a satirical video mocking the BJP for failing to announce a chief ministerial candidate, symbolizing this absence with the image of a groomless horse—implying a leaderless party entering the electoral fray.
The BJP was quick to retaliate, using the term "aapda" (disaster) to describe the governance under the AAP. The party vowed to end what it termed a "disastrous" tenure by the AAP and regain control of Delhi after over two decades in opposition. This verbal sparring has set the stage for an intense and combative campaign season.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi further escalated the discourse during a rally in Ashok Vihar, where he accused the AAP government of being mired in corruption and alleged policy failures. Modi referred to a series of alleged scams under the AAP's rule, including irregularities in the liquor policy, lapses in improving school infrastructure, and inefficiencies in tackling pollution. "This government is openly engaging in corruption, and instead of being ashamed, they flaunt it. It’s nothing short of a disaster for Delhi. But the people are ready to fight against this disaster and will deliver their verdict at the ballot box,” Modi asserted.
The AAP, however, was not deterred by the BJP’s accusations. Party leader Arvind Kejriwal, who stepped down as Chief Minister in September last year following his bail in the excise policy case and six months of imprisonment, hit back at Modi with characteristic sharpness. Kejriwal labeled the BJP itself as the true disaster, pointing out what he termed as the party’s glaring deficiencies in its campaign for the Delhi elections.
"The real disaster isn’t in Delhi; it lies within the BJP,” Kejriwal retorted. “First, they don’t even have a chief ministerial candidate to present to the people of Delhi. Second, they have no narrative or vision for Delhi's progress. Third, they lack an agenda or even basic solutions to the issues Delhiites face daily,” he added.
Kejriwal’s resignation last year and the controversy surrounding the excise policy have become pivotal issues in this election, with the BJP using them to challenge AAP’s claims of transparency and integrity. Despite the political turbulence, Kejriwal has remained confident, stating that he will only return as Chief Minister if the people of Delhi issue him a "certificate of honesty" in the upcoming elections.
Following Kejriwal’s resignation, AAP leader Atishi assumed the Chief Minister’s office and has since worked to uphold the party’s governance narrative. The party has focused on touting its achievements in education, healthcare, and public services, which it claims have transformed Delhi during its tenure.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has yet to announce the official schedule for the Delhi Assembly elections, though the tenure of the current 70-member Assembly is set to conclude on February 23. Both parties are intensifying their efforts to connect with voters as speculation grows about the election dates.
Historically, AAP has maintained a stronghold in Delhi, securing landslide victories in both 2015 and 2020, winning 67 and 62 seats, respectively, out of 70. The BJP, despite its national dominance, has struggled to make significant inroads in Delhi, managing only three seats in 2015 and eight in 2020. The Congress, once a formidable force in Delhi, has been relegated to near-irrelevance in recent elections.
As the electoral battle heats up, the stakes for both parties are monumental. For AAP, retaining Delhi would reinforce its status as a key player in Indian politics and solidify its model of governance. For the BJP, a victory would signal a major political comeback in the national capital and provide a boost ahead of other state and national elections. The outcome of this contest will not only shape Delhi’s immediate future but also influence the broader political landscape of India.
