Delhi Assembly Elections 2025: AAP And BJP’s Battle For Purvanchali Voters Intensifies

With the Delhi Assembly elections approaching on February 5, the battle for the Purvanchali vote bank has intensified between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Purvanchali community, comprising voters from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, holds significant sway in 27 of Delhi's 70 assembly constituencies, making them a crucial demographic for both parties.

AAP's Strategy

The Aam Aadmi Party, under the leadership of Sanjay Singh, has formed a task force with seven teams, each assigned to cover one of Delhi's seven Lok Sabha constituencies. These teams are tasked with connecting with Purvanchali voters at the grassroots level, highlighting AAP's work and positioning the BJP as being against the community, ANI reported citing sources.

This push comes on the heels of a controversy involving a BJP national spokesperson who apologized for remarks against an AAP MLA. AAP plans to capitalize on this incident to consolidate support among Purvanchali voters.

Sources reveal that AAP has already conducted around 600 meetings across Delhi to engage with the community. Meetings led by Sanjay Singh are being held both centrally and at local levels to strengthen voter outreach.

BJP's Counter-Move

Not to be outdone, the BJP has also devised a robust strategy targeting Purvanchali voters. The party has appointed Harish Dwivedi, a former MP and Assam BJP in-charge, as the coordinator for this effort. Over 100 Purvanchali leaders from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have been brought in to bolster the BJP's campaign in the national capital.

From Thursday onwards, BJP leaders from Eastern India will actively participate in Delhi's election campaign, focusing on constituencies where Purvanchali voters have a dominant presence.

The Stakes

Purvanchali voters account for 25% to 38% of the population in several constituencies, making them a decisive factor in the elections. Recognizing their influence, most political parties have prioritized Purvanchali candidates for key positions and ticket distribution.

Historical Context and Current Dynamics

The Congress, which once ruled Delhi for 15 consecutive years, has seen its influence wane, failing to win a single seat in the last two assembly elections. The AAP, on the other hand, has dominated Delhi politics, securing 67 seats in 2015 and 62 seats in 2020, while the BJP managed only three and eight seats, respectively.

This time, a total of 699 candidates are in the fray for the 70 assembly seats. As both AAP and BJP ramp up their efforts to win over the Purvanchali community, this key demographic is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections.