In a significant political development, Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Chief Minister of Delhi, announced his resignation on September 15, 2024. This decision comes shortly after his release from prison, where he had been detained for nearly six months in connection with alleged irregularities in Delhi’s liquor policy. Kejriwal’s resignation has set the stage for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, scheduled for February 5, 2025, with results to be declared on February 8, 2025.
Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in March 2024 by India’s financial crime-fighting agency, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), in relation to alleged irregularities in Delhi’s liquor policy. Despite being granted bail in July 2024, he remained in detention due to a subsequent arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in another case related to the same policy.
AAP and Kejriwal have consistently denied the allegations, labeling them as politically motivated. Following his release on September 13, 2024, Kejriwal announced his resignation, stating he would return to office only if the public certifies his honesty through their votes in the upcoming elections.
Election Schedule and Key Dates
The Election Commission of India has announced the following schedule for the Delhi Assembly elections:
• Notification Date: January 10, 2025
• Last Date for Filing Nominations: January 17, 2025
• Scrutiny of Nominations: January 18, 2025
• Last Date for Withdrawal of Nominations: January 20, 2025
• Date of Poll: February 5, 2025
• Date of Counting of Votes: February 8, 2025
These dates are crucial for political parties and candidates as they prepare for the electoral process.
The upcoming elections are expected to be a fierce contest among the major political parties:
• Aam Aadmi Party (AAP): Led by Arvind Kejriwal, AAP is aiming for a third consecutive term in power. The party has announced its candidates for all 70 assembly seats.
• Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Under the leadership of Virender Sachdeva, the BJP is contesting 29 seats. The party is focusing on issues such as development and governance to appeal to voters.
• Indian National Congress (INC): Led by Devender Yadav, the Congress party is contesting 48 seats. The party aims to regain its foothold in Delhi politics after a period of decline.
The election is anticipated to be a closely contested battle, with each party striving to secure a majority in the 70-member Delhi Legislative Assembly.
Delhi has a diverse electorate, with over 1.55 crore electors registered to vote in the upcoming elections. This includes 2.08 lakh first-time voters aged 18–19 years, highlighting the significant youth participation in the electoral process.
The resignation of Arvind Kejriwal and the subsequent announcement of the Delhi Assembly elections have set the stage for a high-stakes political contest in the national capital. As the election date approaches, all eyes will be on Delhi to see how the political landscape unfolds and which party will emerge victorious in the 2025 Assembly elections.
Key Highlights:
• Arvind Kejriwal Resigns: Arvind Kejriwal announced his resignation as Delhi Chief Minister on September 15, 2024, following his release from prison.
• Election Schedule: Delhi Assembly elections are scheduled for February 5, 2025, with results to be declared on February 8, 2025.
• Key Political Parties: The major contenders are AAP, BJP, and Congress, each fielding candidates across various constituencies.
• Voter Demographics: Over 1.55 crore electors are registered, including 2.08 lakh first-time voters aged 18–19 years.