by Ajay Kumar
Lucknow: For the BJP, the Delhi Assembly elections are a major challenge after the historic victory in Maharashtra. However, the party is now gearing up with full force for this electoral battle. The enthusiasm and confidence within the BJP, following victories in Maharashtra and Haryana, is natural. Even though the party suffered a setback in Jharkhand, these victories have boosted its morale, and now it is marching ahead with full strength towards Delhi. The two state-level victories have helped heal the wounds from the BJP’s losses in the Lok Sabha elections. After the setbacks in the Lok Sabha elections, these state victories are acting like a tonic for the BJP.
The BJP’s performance in the Delhi Assembly elections has been weak in recent years. In 2013, the BJP emerged as the largest party but failed to form the government. The party won 32 seats in that election. In 2015, the situation worsened further, and the BJP could win only 3 out of 70 seats in Delhi’s Assembly. However, in 2020, the BJP’s performance improved slightly, winning 8 seats. Yet, it was still relatively weak compared to Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The 2020 election results clearly indicated that AAP had solidified its influence in Delhi politics. When AAP won 67 seats in 2015, it established a dominant position that continued through the 2020 elections, where it returned to power with 62 seats. However, a relief for the BJP is that AAP’s seat count has decreased slightly. The results of the previous elections indicate that a return to power for AAP is still possible, but the BJP is adding several new dimensions to its strategy this time.
The BJP’s strategists have ramped up their preparations for the Delhi elections. The party has included leaders like Kailash Gehlot in its team, who were previously associated with AAP. Gehlot has been appointed as a member of the Election Coordination Committee and the BJP’s Election Manifesto Committee, signaling that the party is fully prepared for these elections. Kailash Gehlot joining the BJP and his active role could prove to be crucial for the party’s electoral strategy. Additionally, other leaders like Swati Maliwal, too, may support the BJP’s cause.
After the Maharashtra elections, BJP has announced a Parivartan Yatra (Change March) in Delhi, which will cover all 70 Assembly constituencies. Through this Yatra, the BJP aims to tell the people of Delhi that the problems in their areas whether related to roads, sewage, or water scarcity, are solely the responsibility of the Aam Aadmi Party. The party has entrusted Satish Upadhyay with the responsibility of this Parivartan Yatra. BJP leaders believe that during this Yatra, the party will try to convey the message that the AAP government has failed to address the city’s basic issues.
This Parivartan Yatra in Delhi is unrelated to Congress’s Nyay Yatra, but it will undoubtedly create a direct confrontation between the BJP and AAP. The BJP accuses AAP of ignoring the problems of Delhi residents and only attempting to remain in power. The BJP’s campaign also asserts that it will work on every small and large issue in Delhi, a task that AAP has failed to address.
The BJP’s Hindutva and nationalism agenda has been a failure in the last two elections. In the 2020 elections, BJP raised allegations linking Arvind Kejriwal to terrorists, but it had no significant impact. This time, however, BJP plans to bring the Hindutva issue back into the election campaign. The party believes that Hindutva and nationalism can become key issues in the Delhi elections. BJP is hopeful that this strategy will work in its favour.
In the Delhi Assembly elections, BJP’s campaign could also affect Congress’s role. BJP hopes that Congress’s votes will cut into AAP’s vote share, benefitting BJP. Despite Congress’s weak performance in the last two elections, the party still holds an important vote bank, which could create problems for AAP.
Moreover, BJP has begun considering a new scheme for women. The “Ladki Behan Yojana,” which was successful in Maharashtra, might now be implemented in Delhi. Under this scheme, the party is considering giving women a direct cash transfer of ₹1000 every month. This step could be a countermeasure against AAP’s plan to give ₹1000 monthly to women in Delhi. BJP plans to include this initiative in its election manifesto.
Additionally, BJP plans to raise the issue of corruption in the election campaign. While corruption did not have much impact in Jharkhand, it could prove to be a significant issue in Delhi. The BJP is likely to intensify its attacks on Arvind Kejriwal’s government, especially concerning the liquor scam. Congress could also join BJP in opposing Kejriwal on this issue.
BJP has put all its efforts into the Delhi Assembly elections. Its strategy includes the Parivartan Yatra, women’s schemes, corruption issues, and Hindutva. However, AAP’s strong network and the influence of its leaders continue to strengthen the party. For the BJP, winning this election will not be easy, but it has made all the necessary preparations. Now, it remains to be seen who the people of Delhi will support and whether BJP can successfully implement its strategies.
