The number of nominations for the New Delhi Assembly constituency has increased. With the most number of candidates (29), New Delhi has become the most prominent seat among the 70 constituencies in the Delhi Assembly elections. 981 contenders submitted their nominations yesterday for the 70 Delhi Assembly seats. There were 1,523 nominations in total because a single contender may submit several nomination forms.
Since both the Congress and the BJP have put up well-known candidates, in addition to existing MLA and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the New Delhi seat has drawn particular interest. The BJP has put forth Parvesh Verma, a former MP from West Delhi and the son of former Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma, while the Congress has put forward Sandeep Dikshit, a former MP and the son of the late Sheila Dikshit. Due to the fierce rivalry and increased public awareness of the seat, a number of independent candidates have decided to submit their own nominations in an effort to increase their visibility.
Although the New Delhi seat received the most nominations, many candidates also submitted their applications in rural and unapproved colony areas. In constituencies like Matiala, Burari, Mundka, Rohtas Nagar, and Laxmi Nagar, over 20 candidates submitted nominations. Matiala received 25 nominations after New Delhi, while Burari received 22. Notably, the BJP has left the Burari seat for its ally, Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United).
Some constituencies received less than ten nominations, while others saw a deluge. The New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency’s Kasturba Nagar seat received the fewest nominations, with just six people submitting applications. Likewise, less than ten nominations were received in constituencies including as Gandhi Nagar, Mangolpuri, Patel Nagar, and Karol Bagh. Mangolpuri, Karol Bagh, and Patel Nagar are reserved seats among them. Furthermore, Greater Kailash, Saurabh Bhardwaj’s constituency, received just ten candidates.
Today, January 18, all of the nomination papers will be examined. Candidates will then be given until Monday, January 20, to revoke their nominations. The full list of candidates running in the February 5 election will be revealed the same day. Delhi will go to polls in a single phase on February 5, with a fierce triangular contest between the AAP, BJP and the Congress setting the political temperatures soaring in the cold wave-gripped national capital. The results will be announced on February 8.