The Kalkaji assembly constituency is set to witness an intense electoral battle in the upcoming Delhi assembly elections. Delhi chief minister and AAP candidate Atishi is contesting against BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri and Congress' Alka Lamba, making it one of the key battlegrounds in the national capital.
In the 2020 Delhi assembly elections, Atishi won from Kalkaji with 55,897 votes, securing 52.28% of the total vote share. The Congress has won this seat four times since the 1977 elections, while AAP has secured it twice.
Kalkaji had a total of 1,85,910 electors in 2020, with 1,06,910 valid votes cast. Atishi emerged victorious, defeating BJP candidate Dharambir Singh, who secured 44,504 votes, by a margin of 11,393 votes.
In 2015, the constituency had 1,64,319 electors, with 1,06,544 valid votes. AAP's Avtar Singh Kalkaji won the seat with 55,104 votes, defeating BJP’s Harmeet Singh Kalka, who secured 35,335 votes, by 19,769 votes.
While Kalkaji was the seat that propelled Atishi into the assembly in 2020, she faces a tough challenge this time against Ramesh Bidhuri of BJP and Congress' Alka Lamba.
Atishi began her political career as an adviser on education to the AAP government and quickly rose to prominence. She became one of the busiest ministers in the Delhi government, handling several key portfolios. Within three years, she ascended to the post of Chief Minister after Arvind Kejriwal resigned.
BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri is known for his strong organisational skills and deep connection with the rural population of South Delhi. Though his three assembly election wins in 2003, 2008, and 2013 were from the neighbouring Tughlaqabad constituency, Kalkaji remains familiar ground for him as it falls within the South Delhi parliamentary constituency, which he represented twice in 2014 and 2019.
For Alka Lamba, Kalkaji is new territory. She won her only assembly election in 2015 from Chandni Chowk on an AAP ticket before returning to Congress. As the head of the All India Mahila Morcha, Lamba is recognised for her strong oratory skills and support among party workers.
The Kalkaji constituency is a mix of affluent residential areas, middle-class pockets, unauthorised colonies, and slums. Areas like Maharani Bagh, Friends Colony, and New Friends Colony contrast with the dense settlements of Govindpuri, where a large population resides in close quarters.
Issues vary significantly across the constituency. Residents in upmarket areas struggle with waterlogging and sewage backflow, particularly during monsoons, while middle-class localities like Kalkaji and East of Kailash deal with traffic congestion, parking shortages, broken roads, noise and air pollution, and poorly maintained parks.
The waste-to-energy plant near Sukhdev Vihar is seen as a major health hazard, while those living in unauthorised colonies face challenges related to sanitation and water scarcity. However, many in these areas have benefited from government welfare schemes in recent years.
Atishi, who has made Kalkaji her home, claims to have significantly improved the area’s water and sewage infrastructure. She highlighted the constituency’s previous struggles due to its position at the tail end of the water supply system, stating, "Kalkaji was at the tail end of the water supply system and faced constant water crises. We improved water management substantially by replacing old pipelines, fixing leakages, and installing valve operation systems, apart from repairing the road network."
Atishi spends weekends in the constituency, interacting with residents and addressing issues. Her colony-wise WhatsApp groups act as a direct channel between the public and her office. "In the next five years, improving roads is something I would like to work on, especially because we laid water and sewer lines and IGL lines extensively, which caused the roads to be dug up. I also feel that the quality of life in many areas is greatly influenced by the condition of parks, so developing them will be another focus area," she added.
However, BJP’s Bidhuri accuses Atishi of neglecting Kalkaji’s basic infrastructure needs. He points to poor roads, waterlogging, and sanitation issues as evidence of AAP’s failure. He argues that only a "double-engine" government—one with both state and central alignment—can ensure development. He also assures that BJP will continue all existing welfare schemes introduced by AAP.
Alka Lamba, meanwhile, identifies potable water as a key concern, alongside overflowing drains, tangled overhead wires, littered streets, and parks being turned into parking lots. "These are basic issues that need urgent attention," she told TOI. "People know that I did good work as an MLA in Chandni Chowk, so they would want to give Congress a chance in Kalkaji too."
FAQs about the Delhi polls:
What is the expected significance of the election results on February 8? The results of the Delhi Assembly elections will be crucial in determining the political landscape of the capital, with AAP aiming for a third consecutive term, BJP striving for a comeback, and Congress looking to regain its ground.
What are some of the main issues Delhi residents are concerned about during the elections? Residents expressed concerns about poor sanitation, broken roads, open drains, lack of proper sewer systems, rising inflation, and the need for better public amenities like washrooms and water supply.
What specific issues are first-time voters focused on during the election?
Key issues for first-time voters include securing better safety for women, addressing unemployment, improving basic infrastructure like roads and drainage, and tackling environmental concerns. Many voters are also focused on enhancing living conditions in their neighborhoods.