The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced its final list of 38 candidates for the Delhi Assembly elections, set to take place in January 2025. Party leader Arvind Kejriwal will run from the New Delhi constituency, while Chief Minister Atishi will contest again from Kalkaji.
Saurabh Bharadwaj has been chosen to represent AAP in Greater Kailash.
In a notable change, AAP replaced its sitting MLA from Kasturba Nagar, Madan Lal, with Ramesh Pehlwan, who recently joined the party with his wife, councillor Kusum Lata, after leaving the BJP.
Other candidates on the list include Gopal Rai from Babarpur, Amanatullah Khan from Okhla, and Satyendra Kumar Jain from Shakur Basti.
High-stakes contest in New Delhi
Arvind Kejriwal faces a tough challenge in New Delhi, as Congress has fielded Sandeep Dikshit, son of late Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. This contest brings back memories of the iconic rivalry, as Sheila Dikshit had lost to Kejriwal in the same constituency in 2013 and 2015.
For Sandeep, the election is personal—a chance to reclaim his family's legacy.
AAP denies tickets to 20 sitting MLAs
AAP has dropped 20 of its current MLAs from the candidate list. In three cases, family members of these MLAs have been nominated instead. For example, Vikas Bagga will contest from Krishna Nagar, replacing his father SK Bagga, while Puran Deep Sahni will represent Chandni Chowk, replacing his father Prahlad Sahni. Pooja Balyan, wife of Naresh Balyan, has been selected for Uttam Nagar.
In earlier announcements, AAP's first list of candidates included six leaders who had previously been with the BJP or Congress. The second list replaced 15 sitting MLAs with party workers who have been active in AAP's internal structure.
After releasing the final list, Arvind Kejriwal took to social media, saying, “AAP has announced candidates for all 70 seats, and we are fully prepared to contest. The BJP has no CM candidate, no strategy, and no vision for Delhi. Their only mission is to ‘Remove Kejriwal.’ Meanwhile, we have a solid plan, a capable team, and a proven track record of achievements over the last decade. Delhiites will choose work over abuse.”
Sisodia backs Kejriwal’s leadership
Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also expressed confidence in Kejriwal’s leadership.
He wrote, “AAP has entered the election fully prepared. Under Arvind Kejriwal, we are asking for another five years to continue improving education, healthcare, electricity, and water. The BJP is disorganised, with no vision or leader. Kejriwal represents hope and trust. A brighter future for Delhi is only possible under his leadership.”
The upcoming elections will be held for Delhi's 70-member Assembly. AAP has decided to contest alone, as it did in the Lok Sabha elections. The party plans to rely on its governance record and grassroots connections to maintain its hold over Delhi, especially in key constituencies like New Delhi.
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