As the Delhi Assembly elections approach, Congress has unveiled its list of star campaigners, led by party president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The Congress campaign aims to energize the party’s efforts in a city where it has struggled to regain its foothold in recent years.
Despite being allies in the INDIA bloc, Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are contesting the Delhi assembly polls separately, with both parties frequently targeting each other, alongside the BJP, on various issues. Meanwhile, the BJP-led NDA remains united, with the BJP fielding candidates in 68 out of 70 constituencies and allotting the Burari and Deoli seats to alliance partners Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), respectively.
Congress has named several senior leaders as part of its star campaigner lineup, including former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, KC Venugopal, Sachin Pilot, Bhupesh Baghel, Deepender Singh Hooda, Pawan Khera, Kanhaiya Kumar, Alka Lamba, Sandeep Dikshit, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Imran Pratapgarhi, Qazi Nizamuddin, and Udit Raj.
Alka Lamba, Congress’s candidate from the Kalkaji constituency, criticized both AAP and the BJP, accusing them of focusing on political bickering instead of addressing development issues. “The Congress is committed to raising real issues affecting people, unlike the other parties,” she said. Lamba also highlighted challenges faced by the homeless, saying government policies had worsened their conditions.
Delhi is set to go to the polls on February 5, with vote counting scheduled for February 8.
The Congress, which governed Delhi for 15 consecutive years under Sheila Dikshit, has struggled in the last two assembly elections. The party failed to win a single seat in 2015 and 2020. In contrast, AAP dominated the 2020 elections, securing 62 out of 70 seats, while the BJP won the remaining eight.
With the stakes high for all parties, Congress hopes its focus on development and its roster of senior leaders can help revive its fortunes in the national capital.
