New Delhi: The Delhi assembly elections 2025 officially began with key leaders filing their nominations, marking a high-stakes political season. Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Aashi filed her nomination from the Kaji constituency for the February 5 polls. Following her, Congress leader Alka Lamba submitted her nomination papers, drawing attention with her financial disclosures.
Lamba, a former AAP member who rejoined Congress in 2015, declared assets worth ₹76.93 lakh, including ₹30,000 in cash and ₹1 lakh in gold jewelry. Her affidavit revealed no ownership of immovable property.
Controversies Surrounding AAP
The day also saw turbulence for AAP as the Delhi Police filed two FIRs against its leaders. Chief Minister Aashi was named in a case for alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct, involving election promotional materials linked to her campaign. In another case, AAP was accused of sharing AI-generated videos targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
In response, AAP leader Arin Kriyal accused the BJP and Congress of collusion, vowing to expose their alleged "jugalbandi" in his social media posts.
Campaign Spending Sparks Debate
The BJP criticized AAP for reportedly spending ₹4-5 crore per constituency, while Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri slammed Chief Minister Aashi's crowdfunding campaign. The initiative has raised ₹15 lakh so far, with a target of ₹40 lakh.
Regional and Cultural Dynamics
With Purvanchali voters playing a crucial role in nearly 20 constituencies, all major parties have targeted this demographic. A recent remark by former Chief Minister Ain Kajal, alleging fake voter registration among Purvanchalis, drew sharp criticism from BJP and Congress. BJP branded AAP as "anti-Purvanchali," while Congress pledged to establish a grand Shatgrath and a separate district for Purvanchalis.
Campaign Songs Set the Tone
Both BJP and AAP launched campaign songs to energize their voter base. BJP released a rap song targeting AAP, while AAP adapted a popular song by Manoj Tiwari, adding a cultural flair to their outreach.
Punjab Lends Support to AAP
AAP’s campaign received a boost with 300 leaders from Punjab, including MLAs and cabinet ministers, joining the Delhi team to support grassroots efforts.
As Delhi gears up for the February 5 elections, the battle lines are drawn, promising a heated contest among the major players. Stay tuned for more updates.
