The fight for middle-class votes in Delhi magnified with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that the BJP considers them backbone of Indian economy, while AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal unveiled a seven-point manifesto, demanding that they be saved from tax terrorism through measures like hiking income tax exemption limit to Rs 10 lakh. Addressing BJP booth-level workers during the ‘Mera Booth Sabse Majboot’ programme, PM Modi assigned them the task of ‘exposing AAP by taking pictures of broken drains, garbage heaps and lacking basic amenities’ and to share them with location. Notably, thousands of BJP workers across 256 mandals, 70 assembly constituencies, and 13,000 booths listened to PM Modi. On the other hand, Kejriwal has said that a middle-class family in the national capital saves at least ₹22,000 each month due to polices and subsidies given by the ruling party in last ten years. The AAP flagship policies – direct subsidy on electricity, water and bus rides for women apart from mohalla clinics in the national capital have often generated debates. However, the Congress and the BJP, the two opposition parties have promised to continue AAP government’s schemes, if they come to power in the upcoming Assembly elections, scheduled on February 5, while the counting of votes will take place on February 8. A three-way contest is on the cards in Delhi between the ruling AAP, BJP and Congress.
PRIYANKA STEPS IN TO BOOST CONGRESS’S PROSPECTS FOR DELHI POLLS
Congress general secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is expected to start a powerful campaign in Delhi starting January 27, even as her brother, Lok Sabha’s Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, scales back his outreach efforts for the upcoming elections mainly due to his reported ill-health. On Thursday, Rahul Gandhi cancelled a rally in northeast Delhi’s Mustafabad, raising concerns about his availability for future events. While Priyanka Vadra is expected to emphasize on areas in northeast Delhi, Old Delhi and East Delhi areas where Congress leaders are expected to perform relatively well. Delhi’s 70 assembly seats will go to the polls on February 5.
CENTRE’S UGC DRAFT REGULATIONS 2025 FACE MASSIVE OPPOSITION
The BJP-led central government is facing opposition over the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) Draft Regulations 2025. And not just the opposition, even the JD(U), its NDA partner, has put forth its reservations on the issue and signalled that the proposal goes against the federal structure. The UGC Draft Regulations, released on January 6, grant more power to the Chancellor in the appointment of vice-chancellors at state universities. Governors, appointed by the Centre, are the ex-officio Chancellors of state universities. Meanwhile, the Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United), which supports the Narendra Modi-led Centre with 13 MPs in the Lok Sabha, strongly opposed the increased role of the governor, as they did not consent with the things in the draft rules. There is also a sense of discontent within the TDP, another key ally of the BJP at the Centre, regarding the proposed changes, but has so far been guarded in its response.
CONGRESS FOCUSES ON POOR AND MARGINALISED OF POLL-BOUND DELHI
The Congress is emphasizing on attaining back its traditional voters and there is a prominent and conscious push to woo back the minority community, who might have felt deserted by Arvind Kejriwal during the Delhi riots in 2020. Congress feels that Rahul Gandhi’s focus on the Constitution and inclusivity has seeped deep within the Muslim and Dalit voters, who see him as one who is most vocal to voice their issues. All the three parties are trying for Dalit votes in the capital as they constitute around 16.7 per cent of the voters. Congress is aiming to regain some space by concentrating on Dalit and minority-dominated seats in the capital, while AAP has demanded a housing scheme for sanitation workers, who mainly belong to Scheduled Castes. On the other hand, Congress has narrowed down its focus to 20-25 seats in the elections where it thinks it has a decent chance. These seats include: Sadar Bazar, Sangam Vihar, Badli, Seelampur, Seemapuri, Kasturba Nagar, Sultanpur Majra, Matia Mahal, Ballimaran, Okhla, Chandni Chowk, Narela etc., and is running a candidate-centric campaign in the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls. The party wants to repeat its 2013 performance where after being unseated from the throne, pushed to the third position in the Assembly tally, the Congress still held the key to power. In 2013, the Congress won 24.6% votes which came down to 4% in 2020 polls.
TEJASHWI OFFERS TO REVIEW LIQUOR BAN, AS BIHAR ASSEMBLY POLL NEARS
The political activity in Patna is heating up as the Leader of Opposition in Bihar assembly Tejashwi Prasad Yadav promised to review the liquor ban in the state, if RJD comes to power in upcoming assembly elections. Tejashwi was in Arrah in Bihar to attend the Karyakarta Darshansah Samvad Yatra on Wednesday. Reacting to the recent tragedy in West Champaran, where six people died after consuming spurious liquor, Yadav strongly condemned the government’s handling of such incidents. He told that, if elected, his government would aim to fulfill all promises made to the people, including initiatives such as the ‘Mai Behan Maan Yojana’ and addressing the issue of inflated smart meter charges. (IPA Service)