Delhi Elections 2025: Voting Begins as Modi’s BJP Seeks to Oust Kejriwal’s AAP

Polling has officially commenced for the highly anticipated 2025 Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, with a voter turnout of 60.42% recorded on Wednesday. The 70-seat assembly election is shaping up to be a crucial battle, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) aims to reclaim control over New Delhi from the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Arvind Kejriwal. The BJP is hoping to end AAP’s dominance, which has won the last two Delhi elections in 2020 and 2015, and regain political influence in the region.
The election is especially significant given that the Congress party, which had ruled Delhi for 15 years before AAP’s rise, is once again contesting with the goal of reclaiming its position in the Delhi Assembly. For the BJP, the election marks a chance to assert its dominance in one of India’s most politically charged regions, after a long stretch of absence from the chief minister’s office. The BJP has not held the position of Delhi Chief Minister since 1998.
A Fierce Three-Way Battle
The 2025 Delhi Assembly election sees three major political forces vying for power AAP, BJP, and Congress. AAP, which has formed the government in Delhi since 2015 under Kejriwal’s leadership, is hoping to maintain its stronghold with promises of continued improvements in education, healthcare, and the development of the city. Kejriwal’s appeal to voters has been based on his successful education reforms and public welfare schemes.
Meanwhile, the BJP, under the leadership of Modi, is focusing its campaign on national security, governance, and criticizing Kejriwal’s policies, particularly on issues like the Delhi government’s control over the police and disputes with the central government. Modi’s party is seeking to reassert its authority in the national capital, and the results of this election are seen as an important indicator of Modi’s political influence heading into future elections.
The Congress, on the other hand, has seen a dramatic fall from power but is looking to make a comeback with a refreshed strategy. Once the ruling party in Delhi, Congress is focusing its campaign on issues of employment, economic recovery, and restoring its legacy of governance in the city. Although the party faces a steep uphill battle against the more dominant AAP and BJP, it is hoping that its historic ties with Delhi voters will help regain their confidence.
Allegations of ‘Bogus Voting’ in Seelampur
As voting progressed, protests broke out in the Seelampur Assembly constituency, a region that has witnessed tensions in previous elections. BJP workers in Seelampur accused the ruling party of indulging in “bogus voting” and alleged voter manipulation. These protests centered around claims that irregularities were occurring during the voting process, as party workers in the area voiced their concerns about the fairness of the election.
With large queues of voters lining up at polling stations, some BJP supporters expressed fears of electoral fraud and demanded stricter monitoring of the voting process. The allegations of bogus voting were swiftly addressed by the Election Commission, which has assured the public that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure free and fair elections. Nonetheless, such protests highlight the deeply polarized nature of Delhi politics, where every vote counts and accusations of unfair practices can have significant ramifications.
A Key Election for Delhi and Beyond
Delhi, the capital of India, has become a symbolic battleground for larger political struggles between the national parties. For the BJP, losing the Delhi Assembly would be seen as a blow to its influence, especially given the city’s prominence in India’s political and economic landscape. For Kejriwal, the election is a test of whether his policies and governance model are still resonating with the people of Delhi or whether the BJP has managed to sway the electorate in its favor.
As the election unfolds, all eyes are on February 8, when the votes will be counted. The outcome will have significant consequences for the future of Delhi’s political landscape, as well as implications for the broader national political scene.
With such a high-stakes election underway, political analysts and voters alike are eagerly awaiting the results to determine whether the BJP will reclaim Delhi or whether Kejriwal’s AAP will continue its reign in the capital. As tensions rise and campaigns intensify, the 2025 Delhi elections have become a critical juncture in India’s ongoing political drama.