Delhi: As Delhi prepares for its Assembly elections in February 2025, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified its efforts to reclaim power in the capital after 25 years. With the candidate selection process in full swing, the party has shortlisted three potential candidates for each of the 70 constituencies, according to senior BJP leaders.
Candidate Selection in Final Stages
The BJP is expected to announce its final list of candidates by mid-December. A senior party leader revealed that the selection process, which included extensive surveys, has identified the strongest contenders for each seat. National leaders will make the final decision on ticket distribution. This strategic approach aims to give candidates enough time for campaigning, a move that was widely demanded by BJP leaders during internal meetings.
The need for early announcements was previously highlighted at a two-day 'Chintan Baithak' in Rajasthan’s Ranthambhore, attended by senior BJP figures, including national general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh. Leaders cited the success of early ticket distribution in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, where the BJP won all seven seats in Delhi, as a motivating factor.
Challenges and Opportunities
The BJP has been out of power in Delhi since 1998, facing electoral setbacks in the 2015 and 2020 Assembly polls, where it secured only three and eight seats, respectively. However, the party sees a chance to unseat the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) this time, leveraging issues such as corruption allegations against AAP, poor water supply, road conditions, public transport problems, and pollution.
Party workers have been flocking to the Delhi BJP office daily with their bio-data, hoping to secure tickets for the elections. A senior BJP leader expressed confidence that by fielding the best candidates and addressing public concerns, the party can turn the tide in its favour.
(With inputs from PTI)