Delhi Elections 2025: AAP eyes history, BJP and Congress hope for turnaround in the battle for the capital

Delhi Elections 2025: The big day has arrived for Delhi’s Assembly elections. More than 1.56 crore voters will decide the fate of 699 candidates as polling begins at 7 am on Wednesday across 13,766 polling stations. With tight security in place, this election could change the political future of the capital.

Delhi Elections 2025: Who's in the race?

The election is mainly a three-way contest:

• AAP (Aam Aadmi Party), led by Arvind Kejriwal, is aiming for a third straight win based on its work in governance and welfare schemes.
• BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is working hard to reclaim Delhi after more than 25 years.
• Congress, which ruled Delhi for 15 years till 2013, is hoping to make a comeback after failing to win any seats in the last two elections.

Delhi Elections 2025: Tight security and voting arrangements

• Polling will continue till 6 pm, with 220 companies of paramilitary forces, 35,626 Delhi Police personnel, and 19,000 home guards deployed for security.
• Nearly 3,000 booths have been marked as sensitive, and drones will monitor some locations.
• Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) will be on standby at sensitive booths.
• 733 polling stations have been specially arranged for senior citizens and disabled voters.
• A Queue Management System (QMS) app has been introduced to help voters check crowd levels in real time.
• Already, 6,980 out of 7,553 eligible voters under the home voting system have cast their ballots.

Delhi Elections 2025: High-energy campaigning ends

Campaigning ended on Monday at 6 pm after intense rallies and speeches by all parties:

• AAP focused on its governance model, with Kejriwal and Chief Minister Atishi leading campaigns.
• BJP, backed by PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and JP Nadda, attacked AAP over corruption and law and order issues.
• Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, criticised both AAP and BJP.

Delhi Elections 2025: Key issues in the election

The election campaign saw heated debates over:

• The "Sheesh Mahal" controversy (AAP accused of spending public money on official residences).
• Yamuna water quality concerns.
• Allegations of tampering with voter lists.

While governance, law and order, and women's safety were hot topics, freebies were a major part of party promises:

• AAP promised free bus rides for students, insurance for auto and taxi drivers, and Rs 18,000 financial aid for temple priests and gurdwara granthis.
• BJP pledged Rs 21,000 for pregnant women and cooking gas cylinders at Rs 500.
• Congress promised Rs 8,500 per month for unemployed people.

What’s next?

The results will be announced on 8 February. Will AAP retain its hold over Delhi, will BJP end its losing streak, or will Congress make a surprise comeback? Voter turnout will be key to deciding the winner.

All eyes are now on Delhi’s voters as they cast their ballots on Wednesday.