Delhi Polls: Development is the main poll plank but can BJP outsmart AAP?

With Election Commission announcing dates for Delhi Assembly elections, the stage is set for three-way showdown between AAP, BJP and Congress. One may argue over the possibility of three-cornered contest in capital but there is no denying of the fact that Arvind Kejriwal remains the most favoured CM face.

Cheap electricity and water were the main issues, riding on which Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP rose to power. Five years later, they still remain the high points of AAP dispensation.

While presenting its report card to public, Kejriwal govt is set to tom-tom about its achievements in last 5 years but BJP and Congress are looking to impress upon people that AAP dispensation didn’t deliver on promises and only tried to fool the people all these years.

Poll battle for a ‘prosperous’ Delhi

Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government is working overtime to woo the electorate with its last-minute rollout of its poll promises. Women safety, CCTV cameras, free medical treatment… many promises are being fulfilled at a time when the state govt is nearing completion of 5-year-tenure.

BJP too is not far behind in listing its achievements. With Centre’s recently launched drive to regularise unauthorised colonies in the capital, the party looks to tap a big chunk of electorate almost upto 40 lakh.

Congress is trying all means to regain the lost ground. Efforts are underway to infuse vigour in dull and insipid state unit. In fact, the party fared much better in Lok Sabha elections 2019, it stood second on all 7 seats, ahead of AAP.

Heated Electioneering

Electioneering is set to be heated as Kejriwal-led AAP has ramped up its endeavour to reach out to masses.

“Hamne kaam kiya hai toh vote do, warna mat do” (If we have worked in last 5 years, then only vote for us) – this message shows Kejriwal’s clear intent on how he wants to take on rivals. His clear admission of right and wrong won him the second term in office in 2015.

It has also roped in election strategist Prashant Kishore and his organisation I-PAC for return to power. ‘Abki baar, 67 paar’ – is its clever and well-thought attack on BJP.

Though Congress emerged as second largest party in LS polls, it faces an uphill task to retain the momentum. With no CM face and dedicated leadership, the party is still strategizing for the upcoming February 22 assembly elections.

BJP banking on Modi magic

Having lost many crucial states recently, the party is treading the electorate path cautiously. Breaking from the past, the party chose not to declare the Chief Ministerial face. In 2015, Kiran Bedi was named BJP’s CM face but it only backfired.

BJP star-campaigner continues to be Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He launched party’s poll campaign last month with a rally in Ramlila Maidan. The hoardings had just PM Modi’s face and issues before the capital. Amit Shah, in his rallies also stressed on Centre’s strong step to provide basic facilities to around 40 lakh families of Delhi by regularising the unauthorised colonies.

BJP functionaries believe that newly amended Citizenship law will also yield benefits to the party. Though the state leadership has refrained from eulogising the CAA before public, they have been pinning the blame on AAP and Congress for instigating violence and inciting riots across the country.

Also, the notification for Ram Mandir Trust may also sway the public opinion in its favour, feel party functionaries.

At a time, when Central Universities from Jamia Milia Islamia to JNU are in the throes of violence, it may also have a bearing on polling in elections.