The Kalkaji assembly seat is one of the most closely watched in the upcoming Delhi elections, with significant implications for all three major political parties. Three prominent candidates—AAP’s Atishi, Congress’s Alka Lamba, and BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri—are in the fray, making this contest crucial to Delhi’s political landscape.
Key Players and Background
1. AAP: Atishi
- Profile: Current Delhi Chief Minister and AAP’s first woman minister. Atishi became a prominent face within her party after being included in Arvind Kejriwal’s cabinet.
- Track Record:
- Contested from Kalkaji in 2020 and won by over 11,000 votes.
- Known for her work in education reform and governance.
- A win would give AAP a third consecutive term in Kalkaji, further solidifying Atishi’s standing as a national leader.
2. BJP: Ramesh Bidhuri
- Profile: Senior BJP leader, three-time MLA from Tughlakabad, and two-term MP from South Delhi.
- Reputation:
- Known for winning even during BJP’s weaker performances in Delhi.
- Kalkaji falls under his previous South Delhi parliamentary constituency, offering him familiarity with the electorate.
- Implications of Victory:
- Strengthen the BJP’s narrative of resurgence in Delhi.
- Position Bidhuri as a key Delhi BJP leader.
3. Congress: Alka Lamba
- Profile: Former AAP MLA from Chandni Chowk who returned to the Congress in 2019.
- Challenges:
- Has faced setbacks in recent elections, losing from Chandni Chowk in 2020 and Moti Nagar earlier.
- Kalkaji win is pivotal for Congress to break its electoral drought in Delhi since 2015.
- Represents an opportunity for personal redemption and vengeance against AAP.
Kalkaji: A Swing Seat with Political Legacy
Since its inception in 1993, the Kalkaji constituency has been a political battleground:
- Congress: Dominated with three victories between 1998-2013.
- AAP: Won twice (2015 and 2020) with significant margins.
- BJP and Akali Dal: Secured one win each before 1998.
What’s At Stake?
- For AAP:
- Kalkaji victory is a litmus test for retaining its political stronghold.
- Atishi’s victory would affirm the party’s leadership continuity and governance credentials.
- For BJP:
- A Bidhuri win would mark a strategic victory, breaking its Kalkaji dry spell since 1993.
- The party aims to weaken AAP’s grip and rejuvenate its Delhi prospects.
- For Congress:
- Lamba’s win would signal a revival for the Congress in Delhi politics after nine years of dormancy.
- The seat holds symbolic importance in the party’s quest for relevance in Delhi.
Curious Corner
Could a single constituency like Kalkaji determine the larger political narrative in Delhi? How much weight does the personality of individual candidates carry over party allegiance?
Conclusion
The Kalkaji assembly election is not just a contest for one seat—it’s a referendum on the leadership and electoral strategies of Delhi’s major political parties. With stakes so high for AAP, BJP, and Congress, Kalkaji is set to be a bellwether for Delhi’s political future.
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