Delhi Election 2025 Live Updates: 'Delhi people are asking who will be BJP's CM face,' says Atishi

BJP National President JP Nadda criticised AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday regarding his comments about "fake voters", stating that Delhi's residents would respond by removing him from his position.

Via a post on X, Nadda alleged that Kejriwal had established a "disaster of corruption" throughout his decade-long tenure in Delhi.

"Arvind Kejriwal, who has been looting Delhi for the last 10 years by creating a disaster of corruption, started fearing defeat and he got agitated and started making baseless statements against our brothers and sisters of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar," he said.

"Kejriwal has insulted our people from UP and Bihar by calling them fake voters. The people of Delhi will definitely give him a reply by uprooting him from power," Nadda added.

On Thursday, an AAP delegation headed by Arvind Kejriwal visited the Election Commission to discuss their worries about alleged irregularities in the New Delhi Legislative Assembly elections.

In the lead-up to Delhi assembly elections, Malviya Nagar Assembly constituency's BJP candidate Satish Upadhyay criticised AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, highlighting the disarray within the INDI alliance, noting Congress's separate electoral participation and dismissing Kejriwal's campaign activities with Rahul Gandhi as superficial.

"BSP is contesting elections separately, Congress is contesting separately, so we can see that the INDI alliance is already scattered...You should ask Arvind Kejriwal as he was campaigning with Rahul Gandhi. All of that was a show-off," Upadhyay said.

AAP's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal clarified that the upcoming Delhi assembly elections represent a direct competition between AAP and BJP, rather than an INDIA alliance contest.

"Delhi assembly election is between AAP and the BJP. It is not the election of the INDIA alliance. I wholeheartedly express my gratitude to all those parties for supporting us. Mamata Banerjee is supporting us. Akhilesh Yadav is supporting us. I have learnt through media that the (Uddhav) Thackeray ji's party is supporting us," Kejriwal told reporters here on Thursday.

Responding to Congress's pre-election scheme declarations, the BJP representative dismissed them as empty promises, stating that these were merely declarations without substance.

"They just make announcements. They don't do any work. You can see their track record in the states where they are ruling. They have only made announcements for farmers, women and youth," he said.

As Delhi's assembly elections approach, AAP leader and ex-chief minister Arvind Kejriwal criticised the BJP-led Central government on Thursday for failing to fulfil its commitment regarding Jat community reservation in the capital. During a press conference, Kejriwal, a New Delhi constituency candidate, confirmed sending correspondence to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting Delhi's Jat community inclusion in the Central OBC list.

New Delhi's BJP candidate and former parliamentarian Parvesh Verma responded by stating that Kejriwal is attempting to create caste divisions in Delhi.

During the media briefing, the AAP leader criticised the Centre for deceiving the community over ten years and not delivering on its commitments.

"In 2015, the BJP invited Jat leaders to the prime minister's residence and assured them that Delhi's Jat community would be included in the Central OBC list. Union Home Minister Amit Shah promised the same in 2019. However, nothing has been done to fulfil these promises," Kejriwal said.

He highlighted the disparity in educational opportunities, questioning why Jat students from Rajasthan receive reservation benefits at Delhi University whilst Delhi's Jat students do not.
"Thousands of children from the Jat community in Delhi are unable to secure admission in DU because they are not part of the Central OBC list," he said.

On Thursday, Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly and BJP candidate from Rohini constituency, Vijender Gupta, criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) severely, pointing out issues of corruption and poor administration while emphasising the central government's yearly financial aid of Rs one lakh crore to Delhi.

In his interview with ANI, Gupta emphasised that Delhi residents face difficulties throughout all seasons.

"AAP is mentally bankrupt because the central government is spending Rs 1 lakh crore in Delhi every year... and AAP has only done corruption cases and made 'Sheesh Mahal.' There is not one season when the people of Delhi don't face inconveniences... The AAP gang is only looting and weakening Delhi... The biggest joke is calling Arvind Kejriwal the CM... BJP will give a double-engine government in Delhi," the BJP leader said.

Congress candidate from Kalkaji Assembly constituency, Alka Lamba says, "...Why is Arvind Kejriwal not wearing the 'white cap' which he used to wear in the Ramlila Ground?... Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi CM Atishi are losing the elections...The people of the Kalkaji Assembly constituency are living in worse conditions...BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri is out of the race and the women from the Kalkaji Assembly constituency are saying that he has to apologise for his remarks..."

Thrice triumphant from the New Delhi Assembly seat riding on an anti-corruption wave, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, who is out on bail in a money laundering case, faces tougher odds in this election with his image of a corruption crusader a little less impressive among residents. Odds for Kejriwal become narrower considering his rivals – scions of former Delhi chief ministers – BJP's Parvesh Singh Verma and Congress' Sandeep Dikshit.

The former MPs would be trying their best dislodge the ex-Delhi chief minister from a seat, which has come to be seen as a matter of prestige to all three.

The constituency composed of some of the poshest areas of Delhi is also pockmarked by slums clusters that bears a resemblance to the rest of Delhi and demand a similar treatment.

Many residents of the constituency believe it would be an open fight this time with hardly any favourites. Some others claim the promised development has failed to come by.

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari says, "Arvind Kejriwal and AAP have a history of disrespecting the people from UP, Bihar, Jharkhand...How did you (Arvind Kejriwal) dare to call people from UP, Bihar, Jharkhand as fake...The promises of Arvind Kejriwal and AAP are fake...The people of Purvanchal will take revenge on 5th February..."

Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora says, "... MVA in Maharashtra and INDI Alliance in Parliament, an alliance is formed for power and then there is no coordination or cohesion among its members... In the coming days, Delhi's people want a change in the capital and development... Just like houses were provided instead of slums, and the scheme we started in Maharashtra through SRA, this scheme has to be launched in Delhi to give permanent houses to people of Delhi... the only solution is the formation of NDA government in Delhi..."

On AAP's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal's demand to include the Jaat community in the central OBC list, Delhi Assembly LoP and BJP candidate from Rohini Vidhan Sabha, Vijender Gupta says, "BJP gave the Jaat community reservations in all states. If anybody has the strength and ability to give the Jaat community reservation, it's the central government... AAP just kept stripping the Jaat community of their rights for 10 years..."

Arvind Kejriwal has levelled serious accusations regarding electoral irregularities in the New Delhi Assembly constituency. He has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of conducting systematic voter manipulation to gain advantage in the forthcoming elections.

During his media interaction, Kejriwal presented details about alleged unauthorised modifications to the voter list in his constituency.

"In the New Delhi Assembly constituency, from December 15 to January 7, in 22 days, 5,500 applications have come for cancellation of votes. These applications are fake," Kejriwal stated. He elaborated that official investigations revealed these applications were submitted without the knowledge or consent of the registered voters. "A big scam is going on," he further stated.

On Thursday, Delhi chief minister Atishi inaugurated the party's election office in Kalkaji Vidhan Sabha. She expressed her appreciation to the constituency's residents for their unwavering support throughout her five-year tenure.

"Today, we inaugurated our election office in Kalkaji Vidhan Sabha. In the last five years, the people of Kalkaji have blessed me immensely. Today with this inauguration, I hope that people of the constituency continue to shower their love and blessings on me... We organised havan and pooja and inaugurated this office with the blessings of god. AAP has always been blessed by God," CM Atishi said.

In the electoral contest, Atishi faces competition from BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri and Congress candidate Alka Lamba for the Kalkaji Assembly seat.

Earlier in the day, the Delhi CM criticised the BJP, stating that their sole focus appears to be directing criticism towards AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal. She highlighted that the BJP has yet to announce their chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Delhi Assembly election.

"This 'galli-galoch' party doesn't have any agenda, narrative or CM face for Delhi. They have only one work: to hurl abuses at Arvind Kejriwal. I think it will be very easy for the people of Delhi to make a decision," Atishi stated after inaugurating the AAP election office in Govindpuri.

The Delhi assembly elections are scheduled for February 5, with vote counting to take place on February 8.

On Thursday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal, accompanied by a party delegation, met with the Election Commission to raise concerns about alleged irregularities in the New Delhi Legislative Assembly elections. The party claimed a surge in voter registrations and deletions, suggesting large-scale voter fraud.

Kejriwal highlighted that 5,500 votes were registered within just 22 days, a significant anomaly in an assembly with around 100,000 voters, equating to 5.5% of the electorate. He also pointed out that of 89 individuals who requested deletions of these 5,500 votes, 18 denied submitting such requests, fueling allegations of fraud.

The AAP leader further criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), particularly targeting BJP candidate Parvesh Verma for allegedly distributing money and organizing health camps and job fairs, which he deemed corrupt practices. Kejriwal said the Election Commission assured them of "strict action" against any such activities. He also requested the removal of local Election Registration Officers (EROs) involved in these matters. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi had raised similar concerns with the Election Commission earlier, urging immediate action on voter list discrepancies.

The Delhi Assembly elections are scheduled for February 5, with vote counting set for February 8. AAP secured 62 of 70 seats in 2020, while BJP won 8 seats.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, is scheduled to hold an election rally in Delhi on January 13 before the forthcoming Assembly elections, news agency ANI reported quoting sources. The Congress party has already issued its initial list of candidates for the Delhi elections.

Previously, Congress introduced 'Jeevan Raksha Yojana' in Delhi, offering health coverage of Rs 25 lakh for each family.

Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot made this announcement during a press conference in Delhi.

Gehlot described the scheme as a significant development for Delhi.

"We have given a lot of coverage to the health... 'Jeevan Raksha Yojana' of the Delhi government will be similar to 'Chiranjeevi Yojana' of the Rajasthan government...I am happy that I got the opportunity to launch this scheme here," the senior congress leader told reporters afterwards.

"The health insurance scheme of Rajasthan has been very successful and in Delhi, we will do the same. It provides benefit to all whereas Ayushman Bharat has its limitations...," Gehlot further stated.

Aam Admi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal stated on Thursday that the Delhi assembly elections would be a straight contest between the AAP and the BJP, rather than an INDIA alliance election.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Parvesh Verma launched a scathing attack on Arvind Kejriwal, the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Verma accused Kejriwal of being disconnected from the villages of Delhi, claiming he never visited any village or allowed villagers to enter his "Sheesh Mahal" (his official residence). Verma also reminded people of Kejriwal’s earlier remarks, where he allegedly said that people in villages of Delhi "stink".

Verma speculated that Kejriwal was raising the issue of Jat reservations only because he realised that rural Delhi was turning against him. He pointed to the discontent among Jats, Gujjars, Yadavs, Tyagis, and Rajputs, all of whom, according to Verma, were united in their opposition to Kejriwal's government.

"Today, he felt that the entire rural Delhi was voting against AAP--rural Delhi included not just Jats but also Gujjars, Yadavs, Tyagis and Rajputs, all of them saying in unison that they have to uproot the Arvind Kejriwal government," Verma said.

Verma expressed confidence that BJP would win the upcoming elections, asserting that Kejriwal’s late recognition of the Jat community was a result of his government's failure to deliver on their needs.

The Delhi assembly elections are scheduled for February 5, with vote counting set for February 8.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann says, "We trust that the ECI will take strict action against the officers of the New Delhi Assembly constituency and also on the deletion and addition of votes...ECI is our last hope...It is the responsibility of the ECI to save democracy..."

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal says, "...The local election officer of the New Delhi Assembly constituency has surrendered to the BJP. He is facilitating all the wrong works of the BJP...The ECI has assured us that they will not allow all these practices to happen and strict action will be taken...The local DEO and ERO should be suspended..."

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal says, "In New Delhi Assembly constituency, from 15 December to 7 January, in 22 days, 5,500 applications have come for cancellation of votes... These applications are fake... When the officials took cognizance of the matter and the people in whose name applications for cancellation of votes were given were called, they said that fake applications had been given in their name... A big scam is going on... In the last fifteen days, 13,000 applications have come for new votes... Fake votes are being created by bringing people from other states... BJP candidate from New Delhi Assembly constituency, Parvesh Verma is organizing job camps, openly distributing money... These things come under corrupt practices under the rules and regulations of the Election Commission... Parvesh Verma should be barred from contesting elections and his house should be raided to find out how much money he has at his house."

Kejriwal said, "The practices which are going on, are going to render the entire election process as a big farce. The EC has assured us that it will take strict action and bring the process back on track."

"There should be a raid at his house, to find out how much money he has," the AAP chief said.

The communist parties have agreed to support one another as they prepare to contest six assembly seats. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) will stand for election in two constituencies - Karawal Nagar and Badarpur.

On Thursday, CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat announced the slogan, "BJP hatao, Delhi bachao," stating that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was undermining the rights of Delhi's residents and must be stopped.

"Three left parties - Communist Party of India (Marxist), CPI and CPI (Marxist-Leninist) - are contesting on a total of six (assembly) seats, two each. CPI(M) is contesting in Karawal Nagar and Badarpur (assembly constituency). For the rest of the seats, we have raised the slogan: 'BJP hatao, Delhi bachao'," Karat told ANI.

Karat criticised the BJP for removing the Delhi government's "autonomy", noting that BJP policies have eliminated the self-governance that the Supreme Court had established.

"I have told you that it is about defeating BJP in Delhi. Our focus is to defeat them. Where the left is not contesting, we will decide on whom to support based on our analysis. The understanding is that BJP is the most dangerous and toxic force. They must be defeated at all costs in the national capital, where their policies have eliminated the autonomy of the Delhi government which the Supreme Court had mandated. BJP is acting as bulldozer against the rights of the people of Delhi and it is essential to stop them," Karat said.

AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi CM Atishi reach Election Commission for a meeting with CEC Rajiv Kumar ahead of Delhi assembly elections.

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi to address an election rally in Delhi on January 13: ANI Sources

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal firmly rejected BJP's assertions about him contesting from two constituencies in the forthcoming Delhi Assembly elections, stating he would stand from only one seat. He emphasised that the elections represent a direct competition between AAP and BJP, rather than being an INDA bloc matter in Delhi.

Kejriwal, who has represented New Delhi constituency since 2013, faces strong competition from two candidates with political lineage. His opponents include Parvesh Verma, son of former chief minister Sahib Singh Verma from BJP, and Congress candidate Sandeep Dikshit, whose mother Sheila Dikshit served three terms as Delhi's chief minister.

"I am contesting one seat only," Kejriwal declared during a press conference, responding to BJP's suggestions about him seeking a second constituency due to fears of defeat in New Delhi.

This statement followed BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya's social media post on X, where he claimed that Kejriwal was making unfounded claims about voter lists in his constituency and discussing the possibility of contesting from two seats, allegedly due to concerns about losing in New Delhi.

On Arvind Kejriwal's statement, Congress candidate from New Delhi seat, Sandeep Dikshit says "Arvind Kejriwal may say anything but Aam Aadmi Party is the party in Delhi which defamed Congress. I don't remember him saying even a single word against BJP in 2012-13... AAP's method is that in all the elections they have gone only and only to defeat Congress... If you talk to any common man outside Delhi, he will also tell you that AAP contests only to defeat Congress... If you have so much aversion towards BJP and RSS, then why did you write a letter to RSS?... Congress has never written such letters ..."

Arvind Kejriwal said, "5 castes in addition to the Jat community are also there in the state OBC list but not in the centre's OBC list... These 5 castes should also be included in the centre's OBC list so that the youth of these 5 castes can get equal opportunities in education and employment in central government institutions... I will fight for the Jaat community and get them reservation from the centre and I will do all that is needed."

Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan tweets, "My remarks on Delhi Assembly elections were interpreted out of context. If India Alliance had fought together then the victory of the Alliance would have been assured. Now that all major parties are in the fray, it has become an open election. The Congress Party has gained tremendous momentum and I’m sure we will emerge victorious"

Delhi former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal rubbished the Amil Malviya's claim that he is contesting the election from two seats. "I will contest the election from one seat," he clarified.

Ahead of Delhi elections, BJP National President JP Nadda held a meeting with the party workers at the Delhi BJP office.

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah promised to add Delhi's "Jat" to the OBC community if won the election but failed to do. He also claimed that the Rajasthan's Jat received the OBC benefits but not the Delhi's Jat.

BJP's campaign material for the Feb 5 assembly polls criticises AAP by drawing unflattering parallels from popular Hindi films. The party is targeting Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi through modified promotional materials resembling Bollywood movie posters. The movies that the party has chosen for the purpose revolve around theft or corruption, films such as Bunty aur Babli, Pushpa 2, Special 26, Jolly LLB, Lootera and Bhool Bhulaiya.

The party has zeroed in on the strategy of using voice imitations of AAP stalwarts to highlight corruption allegations against them. In one campaign poster, ex-CM Kejriwal is shown in a portrayal reminiscent of stock market manipulator Harshad Mehta and the caption reads, Farzi voters se ishq hai.

In recent times, AAP and BJP have accused each other of trying to rig the voter list by deleting and adding names. Another poster depicts Kejriwal styled after Allu Arjun with the line, "AAP nahi AAPda hai main (Not AAP but disaster)". BJP has been using this phonetic theme as an election slogan with "AAPda nahi sahenge, badal ke rahenge (Will not tolerate disaster, we will usher in change)."

A BJP functionary said that the reason the party had decided on such a campaign measure was because it wanted to connect with the youth and those who don't follow politics. "You cannot expect everyone to be aware of what's happening in Delhi politics. The posters of popular films give an idea of what the movie is about. But we have rephrased the movie taglines and this will strike a chord with social media audiences," he said. Another functionary said the humour in these more ably communicated the message than political clips.

BJP candidate from the New Delhi assembly constituency, Parvesh Verma says, "All the other parties of INDI alliance are non-existent in Delhi. They have no vote bank. Arvind Kejriwal can see he is losing and that is why he is taking support from these parties... BJP is certainly forming government in Delhi... INDI alliance does not exist anymore..."

Aiming at providing better employment opportunities for the youth of the New Delhi Constituency through a job fair, former MP and BJP candidate from New Delhi Assembly, Parvesh Verma, launched the ‘Har Ghar Naukri’ (jobs for every household) campaign.

The registration process for the job fair has begun, he said, adding, the fair will start at 10 am on January 15 at the Constitution Club, New Delhi, where more than 50 prominent companies from across the country will participate and conduct interviews for various positions.

Verma said that this campaign is part of BJP's commitment to economically empower every household. He added, “Har Ghar Naukri is our promise. Through this job fair, we aim to provide jobs to the youth based on their skills and qualifications.”

To facilitate the registration process, 15 designated centres have been set up across New Delhi, including BR Camp, Jodhpur Mess, P&T Colony, Princess Park, and others. Additionally, candidates can scan the provided QR code for online registration, he said.

This initiative is seen as a significant step toward fulfilling BJP’s vision of ‘Har Ghar Rozgar, Har Ghar Samriddhi’ (employment and prosperity for every household), he said.

Delhi Assembly LoP and BJP candidate from Rohini Vidhan Sabha, Vijender Gupta says, "INDI alliance had already drifted apart. It is certain that when the alliance is split into two, people can clearly see that Arvind Kejriwal is not coming again... These people built sheesh mahal for themself but did not even provide temporary houses to the poor. If such people are being boycotted in the INDI alliance, it is natural... If AAP is taking support of parties who have no presence in Delhi, then you can understand the condition of AAP..."

"CPI(M) will contest on two seats in Delhi- Karawal Nagar and Badarpur. Where the Left parties will contest, we support each other. On the remaining seats of Delhi Assembly poll, CPI(M) will support the party which can defeat BJP. My party's slogan is 'BJP harao, Delhi bachao', " says CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat.

An editorial published by the Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamna has slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the party of neglecting serious national issues to focus on the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.

According to the editorial, "The schedule for the Delhi Assembly elections has been announced. Voting will take place on February 5, and the results will be declared on February 8. Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Shah, and central ministers of the BJP have fully thrown themselves into this election."

"The BJP's goal is to defeat Arvind Kejriwal and take control of the Delhi Assembly. Meanwhile, China has infiltrated Ladakh and settled two villages. Naxals have killed 10-15 police officers in Chhattisgarh. Violence continues unabated in Manipur. In a state like Maharashtra, daylight murders are happening, and the killers have the government's protection," the Saamna editorial read.

The published editorial accused the BJP of resorting to extreme measures to defeat the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

"All in all, the BJP's policy seems to be that focusing on these serious issues is foolish, and defeating the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi is the most important matter. The BJP has decided to go to any lengths to achieve this. The BJP's approach is that they will win everywhere and sit in power."

Congress candidate from New Delhi assembly seat, Sandeep Dikshit, is set to file defamation lawsuits against Delhi chief minister Atishi and AAP MP Sanjay Singh on Thursday.

CongressThe two AAP leaders had accused him of receiving funds from the BJP. Dikshit had previously stated that Atishi and Singh had alleged that he took money from a BJP leader to contest the elections, which he claimed defamed him. He further challenged the AAP leaders to prove their allegations, saying that if they were true, he should be investigated by the ED or CBI, arrested, and that action should also be taken against the BJP leader involved. He demanded that Atishi and Sanjay Singh provide evidence of their claims or face a criminal defamation case.

The Election Commission of India has decided to hold the assembly election this year on a Wednesday, accepting the Delhi electoral office's request. The CEO office's request stemmed from the fact that mobile, urban, upper-middle-class Delhiites often plan short getaways on weekends, which result in a poor voter turnout in certain constituencies.

In a meeting last month, the Delhi CEO gave a presentation to ECI officials on the preparation for elections and suggested several measures to improve voter turnout, including the holding of the election in the middle of the week.

The voter turnout in Indian cities has never been impressive and constantly faced urban apathy across municipal, assembly and parliamentary elections.
The voter turnout in Delhi has never been impressive either.

Though Delhi has never been among the cities that record abysmally poor turnouts, the figures have never been impressive either. The election office runs a massive Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation programme, called SVEEP, ahead of each election, but the turnout has never crossed 70% — in parliament or assembly elections — after 1977 when it was 71.1%.