New Delhi: As the Delhi assembly elections scheduled for February 5, 2024, draw closer, the political battlefield has intensified between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Both parties have engaged in heated exchanges over slum redevelopment, alleged infiltration by Bangladeshi nationals, and the government’s promises, highlighting the stark ideological divide between the two sides.
Slums at the Forefront of Campaigns
The issue of slums and affordable housing has become a critical electoral plank. AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal recently accused the BJP of planning to demolish slum areas in Delhi to favor private builders. Addressing a rally at Shakur Basti, Kejriwal assured residents that his government remains committed to safeguarding their homes. He highlighted AAP’s achievements, such as providing 200 units of free electricity, establishing Mohalla Clinics, and building new schools and hospitals.
In response, Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva criticized AAP for its alleged inaction on slum redevelopment. He pointed out that over 50,000 flats under the Rajiv Awas Yojana have been left to decay, while the BJP-led central government has delivered millions of homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
अमित शाह जी को मेरा चैलेंज। pic.twitter.com/w3GnkXWlc1
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 12, 2025
National Security Allegations
The debate has taken a nationalistic turn, with BJP leaders accusing AAP of compromising national security. Union Minister Smriti Irani alleged that AAP MLAs Mohinder Goyal and Jai Bhagwan Upkar were involved in creating fake Aadhaar and voter ID cards for Bangladeshi nationals. Irani called this a “grave threat to India’s democratic framework” and demanded a thorough investigation.
AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar rebutted the claims, asserting that border security is the responsibility of the Union Home Ministry under Amit Shah. She questioned how infiltrators could traverse multiple states to reach Delhi without being intercepted. Kakkar further labeled BJP’s allegations as a “desperate attempt to malign AAP as the elections approach.”
Broken Promises or Delivered Results?
Both parties accused each other of failing to deliver on promises. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri labeled AAP a “factory of liars,” alleging that the party had failed to fulfill its 2020 electoral guarantees, including 24/7 electricity, cleaning the Yamuna River, and expanding the Metro network.
AAP leaders countered by pointing to BJP’s unfulfilled commitments at the national level, such as doubling farmers’ incomes and recovering black money. AAP MP Sanjay Singh criticized the BJP government for its perceived focus on benefitting corporate entities over the common man.
Poll Dynamics and Predictions
The upcoming election is crucial for both parties. AAP, which has dominated the Delhi assembly since 2015, seeks a third consecutive term. In contrast, BJP is aggressively campaigning to improve its seat tally from the eight it won in 2020. Meanwhile, the Congress party, which has been sidelined in recent elections, struggles to make its presence felt.
What Lies Ahead?
As both parties intensify their campaigns, the focus remains on the 1.5 million voters living in slum areas. With allegations and counter-allegations flying, the narrative of development versus accountability is likely to shape the electoral outcome. The stakes are high, and February 5 will decide whether AAP retains its stronghold or BJP makes significant inroads in Delhi’s political landscape.
