Why New Delhi Won't Be A Cakewalk For Arvind Kejriwal: Parvesh Verma & Sandeep Dikshit Just 2 Of Many Challenges
The New Delhi seat, which includes Lutyens’ Delhi and serves as the heart of national politics, is one of the most prestigious constituencies. It was held by former CM Sheila Dikshit from 1998-2013.
Delhi Election 2025: As Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal prepares for his toughest electoral battle in Delhi, both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are determined to deny him an easy victory in the New Delhi assembly constituency. Amid anti-incumbency sentiments and ongoing corruption allegations, the two major Opposition parties in Delhi have fielded prominent candidates to challenge the AAP leader.
The New Delhi seat, which includes Lutyens’ Delhi and serves as the heart of national politics, is one of the most prestigious constituencies. The constituency's population is a diverse mix of VIPs, slum dwellers, as well as the middle class. Prominent figures like President Droupadi Murmu, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and senior bureaucrats cast their votes here.
The New Delhi seat was held by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit from 1998 to 2013. In 2013, Kejriwal defeated her, and he has since retained the seat in 2015 and 2020. However, this time, the competition is expected to be far tougher.
Kejriwal’s political journey has seen highs and lows—from the AAP’s historic 2015 victory, when it won 67 of 70 seats, to his arrest in 2024 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over corruption allegations linked to the 2021 liquor policy. Although he secured bail in September 2024, his arrest and subsequent resignation have left him on the back foot.
ALSO READ | 'Kejriwal Vs Who?' A Decade On, BJP And Congress Yet To Find An Answer To This Question In Delhi Elections
Challenges Facing Arvind Kejriwal In 2025 Delhi Polls
- Anti-Incumbency Sentiment: After serving as chief minister for two consecutive terms, Kejriwal faces growing public discontent over allegations of corruption and dissatisfaction with his administration. The Aam Aadmi Party is encountering its toughest election yet in Delhi, with various accusations of governance failures weighing on Kejriwal’s image.
He has admitted his government’s failure to clean the Yamuna, provide clean tap water to every household, and transform Delhi’s roads to European standards. Additionally, his frequent confrontations with the Delhi Lieutenant Governor, rather than adopting a conciliatory approach, have been blamed for stalling the AAP government’s plans.
- Strong Opposition Candidates: The Congress has fielded Sandeep Dikshit, son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, while the BJP has nominated Parvesh Verma, son of former Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma. Dikshit and Verma, both former MPs, are seeking to make political comebacks, with the former aiming to regain prominence after his 2014 electoral loss.
Sandeep is leveraging his mother’s legacy, positioning himself as a viable alternative to Kejriwal. Formerly a two-time Member of Parliament from East Delhi, he presents a formidable challenge. Meanwhile, Parvesh Verma, a two-time MP from West Delhi and a prominent Jat leader, has been a vocal critic of Kejriwal. In 2020, he even labelled the AAP chief a “terrorist” over his support for the Shaheen Bagh protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. - Aggressive Opposition Campaigns: Both the Congress and the BJP are mounting strong campaigns against Kejriwal, making this a highly competitive contest. The campaign trail has been marred by vandalism of campaign vehicles, allegations of cash and gift distribution, claims of electoral roll manipulation, a stone-pelting incident, and personal attacks between candidates.
Parvesh Varma drowned Kejriwal's effigy in the Yamuna to highlight the river's pollution, while the AAP has repeatedly accused the BJP candidate's aides of beating up their workers, calling them "goons".
“Arvind Kejriwal is clearly on the back foot this time. He is unable to answer the questions raised by the people. The BJP is directly targeting Kejriwal for betraying the trust of Delhi’s citizens,” said Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva, as quoted by The Frontline.
Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav remarked, “The Congress’s candidate list makes it clear that we are no pushover in this election. The nomination of Sandeep Dikshit against Arvind Kejriwal shows that we are taking the fight to the AAP camp.”
Meanwhile, the AAP is branding the New Delhi contest as a battle between “Do CM ke bete aur ek Dilli ka beta (sons of two chief ministers versus the son of Delhi)", positioning Kejriwal as the local candidate who has delivered on his promises. AAP Delhi convenor Gopal Rai said, “Arvind Kejriwal symbolises the politics of governance. He has delivered what he promised. Other parties cannot claim a proven track record like his.” - Corruption Allegations And Legal Troubles: Kejriwal has been embroiled in an alleged corruption case related to the 2021 Delhi government excise policy, which allowed private retailers to sell liquor in the national capital. The policy was scrapped in 2022, but his arrest by the ED dented his image. Though he was granted bail, the lingering effects of this case could affect voter perception, particularly given that he built his political career after he emerged on the national scene as an RTI activist and anti-corruption crusader.
Additionally, the 'Sheesh Mahal' controversy over the renovation of the Delhi Chief Minister's residence during Kejriwal's tenure may have affected his 'Aam Aadmi' image among voters. Even after vacating the house following his resignation, Kejriwal faces barbs from Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and Rahul Gandhi for alleged luxurious arrangements claimed to be worth crores. Amid opposition demands for an investigation, the Vigilance Directorate in December 2024 asked the Public Works Department (PWD) to probe and submit a report on who or which organisation provided the “lavish items” at the bungalow, Indian Express reported. - Voter Fatigue After Past Victories: Kejriwal’s past victories in New Delhi were by substantial margins, but shifting political dynamics and evolving voter concerns — particularly regarding governance stalemates in the capital — may alter the electorate’s preferences. A prospective shift in sentiment poses a significant challenge to his re-election bid.
ALSO READ | 'Sheesh Mahal' To Slums, Purvanchalis to Pollution: 8 Issues That Will Decide Delhi Assembly Polls
High-Stakes Contest On February 5
In this fiercely contested election, Kejriwal must navigate a strong Opposition, anti-incumbency, governance issues, and corruption allegations. The New Delhi seat, which has over 1.45 lakh registered voters and is considered a stronghold for the AAP, has now turned into a battleground. Whether Kejriwal can retain his seat, Verma can garner enough support to cause an upset, or Dikshit can avenge his mother's defeat remains to be seen.
The 2025 Delhi Assembly election is scheduled for February 5, with results to be announced on February 8.
Top Headlines
