Mushtaq Hurra
Delhi election campaigning was overshadowed by CAA, NRC and NPR issues which have a witnessed a mixed response from the different quarters of the country. Electioneering is no lesser than a festivity in India but big media houses were abuzz with other issues like protests at Shaheen Bagh, Jamia Milia and violence at JNU. Thus, it couldn’t grab media attention and hype which it had earned in earlier elections. Banner and poster rhetoric was used by all the political stakeholders. Political rallies were held by big threes Viz AAP, Congress and BJP but the typical Indian election aroma was altogether missing particularly that of BJP because this party was probably trying to consolidate its earlier status. The recent twin setbacks from Maharashtra and Jarkhand has sent alarm bells across the party cadres at national level. The triangular contest is now stored in EVMs, and the verdict of Delhiyites will be made public on the 11th of this month. Now, the billion dollar question is that who will reign Delhi for next five years. Let’s have a look on the recent political developments of the country and the chances of different political parties in Delhi in the context of these developments.
BJP is the party which had clean sweeped the Delhi in 2019 Loksabha elections. It had won all the seven Lok Sabha seats of Delhi. This party has decimated Indian National Congress to a handful of leaders. Modi’s charisma at national level is the X factor for BJP to carry out any miracle on the political horizon of the country. But, the recent results from Jharkhand and Maharashtra has caused big ripples in the party cadres. No doubt, the party became the largest one in Maharashtra but the tri-party coalition of Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP deprived BJP of its dream run in the state. It was not all about being decimated to mere opposition but the way differences cropped up between BJP and Shiv Sena, has sounded bad omens for the former party. Shivsena was BJP’s one of the oldest allies but couldn’t make consensus with it on power sharing. Being ideaollogically similar, the two parties have parted ways with each other very bitterly. Even, the Shivsena supremo and Maharashtra chief minister, Raj Thackeray has openly decided not to implement CAA in Maharashtra. The implementation of CAA, NRC and NPR has not been an easy walk for the ruling BJP in the country. The act has become the bone of contention for the party. The party was expected to do well in Delhi assembly elections but the recent political developments in the country, has made things a little difficult for the national ruling party. It lost the Power to Shibu Suren’s Jharkhand Mukhti Morcha , and Indian National Congress in Jharkhand. Thus, it is a proven fact that it is not enough to influence things under the sentiment of nationalism.
Delhi assembly elections won’t be a roller coaster ride for BJP. I don’t think that Delhi electorate will be driven by the sentiment of nationalism. The electorate is rational enough to decide the political future of Delhi. BJP has nothing special to woo the voters except Ram Mandir verdict, abrogation of article 370 from the erstwhile of Jammu and Kashmir. The dream of Good days of BJP is a dream yet to be interpreted. Prices of essential commodities and edibles have risen to alarming proportions. Very recently, Onion prices were touching skies. The economy of the country is in doldrums. GDP growth is down. Unemployment, climatic issues, basic amenities, women safety are the main demands of Delhi electorate. These issues will decide the fate of Delhi’s political future on the 11th of this month. I don’t see the overwhelming victory for BJP in Delhi but it will certainly improve its tally of 2014.
Aam Aadmi Party had dream figures in 2014 Delhi elections. The party had come up with a vision but couldn’t convert the vision into the reality. Many legislators of AAP were caught in different controversies. Party has miserably failed to tackle the climatic issues which have proven hazardous for the whole the NCR of Delhi. Women safety has been a challenge for the party though AAP government has taken some measures to safeguard the women in Delhi. Unemployment is another issue which Arvind Kejrival led Government couldn’t resolve. No doubt, this Government has revolutionized the school education in the National capital. Manish Sisodia has succeeded to change the scenario of Delhi schools. Government schools of Delhi have outshined its counterparts viz private schools. The results of recent years in Government schools in Delhi has registered a new era of academic excellence and achievements. The party has been portraying its educational achievements in its election manifesto. The party has reasonably done well in the fields of basic amenities like drinking water and electricity. Overall, repeating 2014 will not be lesser than a miracle for Aam Aadmi Party.
Indian National Congress has been facing the crisis of high magnitude. In 2014 and 2019 respectively, the party has witnessed the most difficult political situations at national level. In 2014 Delhi assembly elections, the party failed to open its account. The party has undoubtedly done well in many states in the recent past but all the restoration and success has been extremely erratic. In Delhi, the party has nothing special to brag upon. It has vowed to restore the legacy of Shila Dikshat rule. Will this party regain its old glory in Delhi ? According to political pundits and analysts, it will not be a Cake walk for Congress in Delhi. The way things are shaping up in Delhi, there seems to be no end to the bleak days for Congress. The frustration is quite visible on the faces of Congress men. One of the contesting candidates from Congress party was seen slapping an Aam Aadmi Party worker outside a polling station.
Let’s see which way the camel sits. Delhi electorate is mature enough to mandate the right party to power. No doubt, the recent political and administrative developments in the country might have influenced the perceptions of Delhiyites but I hope that the electorate won’t take hasty decisions. Let’s hope that common Masses will see the culmination of their miseries and sufferings under the new regime.
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