The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) and Indian National Congress (INC) have released their next list of candidates in light of the imminent Delhi Assembly Elections in the dead of the night. Both the parties had already released their first candidate list last week with BJP fielding 57 candidates and Congress fielding 54 on the 70 seats of Delhi Assembly. The underline of both their lists however is the fielding of a candidate from the renowned New Delhi constituency, which is currently ruled by sitting Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
BJP’s Second List
The BJP has pitted Sunil Yadav, President of their youth wing Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha against the AAP chieftain. Yadav, who is an advocate and social worker by profession, joined the youth wing as the ‘Mandal president’ had risen through the ranks to become Delhi General Secretary and Secretary of the Yuva Morcha. Among the 10 names released are key faces such as Delhi BJP spokesperson Tajinder Singh Bagga and party’s Purvanchal Morcha president Manish Singh. Bagga and Singh will be contesting the polls from Hari Nagar and Delhi Cantt seats respectively. The party has also fielded Sumanlata Shokeen from Nangloi Jat, Ramesh Khanma from Rajouri Garden, Ravindra Chaudhary from Kasturba Nagar, Kusum Khatri from Mehrauli, Dharamvir Singh from Kalkaji, Anil Goyal from Krishna Nagar and former East Delhi deputy mayor Sanjay Goyal from Shahdara constituency.
Congress’ Second List
Moreover, the Congress has fielded rookie Romesh Sabharwal from the New Delhi constituency against the AAP supremo in their second list. Sabharwal, who started his political journey as a student leader with the NSUI and Youth Congress, has been connected with the INC for more than 4 decades now. Former DUSU president Rocky Tuseed has also been given a ticket from Rajinder Nagar constituency. In their second list the party has also fielded Raminder Singh Bamrah from Tilak Nagar, Pramod Kumar Yadav from Badarpur, Amareesh Gautam from Kondli, Bhisham Sharma from Ghonda and Arbind Singh from Karawal Nagar seat.
Congress’ Third List
Within just a span of a few hours, the Congress released its third list too, including 5 names. Former Rajya Sabha MP Parvez Hashmi has also found his place in the list. He will be contesting the elections from Okhla seat. Former MLA Mukesh Sharma has also managed to secure a ticket from the VIkaspuri seat. Apart from these two, Mohinder Chaudhary from Mehrauli, Parveen Rana from Bijwasan and Jai Prakash Panwar from the Madipur (SC) have also been included in the list.
These lists have taken BJP’s and Congress’ tally to 67 and 66 respectively. BJP will be contesting the elections in alliance with JD (U) and LJP whereas Congress has joined hands with the RJD.
The polling for the 70-membered Delhi Assembly will take place on the 8th January and results for the same will be announced on 11th January,2020.