The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has announced its intention to contest all 70 seats in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, slated for February 2025. The first list of candidates is expected to be released by mid-January, marking an ambitious move by the party as it seeks to re-establish its presence in the capital’s political landscape.
BSP’s Strategy and Preparation
A senior BSP official told PTI that Delhi has been divided into five zones, with coordinators assigned to oversee candidate selection in each zone. “The coordinators will finalize their recommendations and send them to Behenji (BSP chief Mayawati). The final decision on the candidates will be based on these recommendations,” the official said, adding that the list of candidates is expected to be finalized by January 15.
Ground-level meetings are currently being held to identify key issues and agendas, which will guide the selection of candidates. “These meetings are essential to ensure that the chosen candidates resonate with local concerns,” the official added.
BSP’s Past Performance in Delhi
The BSP’s electoral performance in Delhi has fluctuated over the years. The party contested all 70 seats in the 2020, 2015, 2013, and 2008 Assembly elections. It achieved its best performance in 2008, winning two seats and securing a 14.05% vote share. However, its influence has waned since, with a mere 0.71% vote share in the 2020 polls.
Despite the setbacks, the BSP remains determined to make a mark in the upcoming elections. The poll campaign is set to begin on January 5, with Mayawati and her successor expected to lead rallies and bolster the party’s outreach efforts.
Key Challenges in the 2025 Delhi Elections
The elections are likely to see a direct contest between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), leaving limited space for other parties like the BSP to gain ground. The AAP, led by Arvind Kejriwal, has been in power since 2015 and recently released its final list of candidates, including Kejriwal from the New Delhi constituency and Chief Minister Atishi from Kalkaji.
While the BSP has not been a dominant force in Delhi politics in recent years, its strategy to contest all 70 seats signals a renewed effort to appeal to a broader voter base. Whether this ambitious approach will translate into electoral success remains to be seen.