Delhi Polls 2025: Leaders Who Switched Sides Before Elections To Play A Key Role

In the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, party-switchers are poised to play a crucial role. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress have each fielded around 20 candidates who recently switched allegiances. This move highlights the competitive nature of the February 5 polls, with all three parties vying for control over 70 Assembly seats.

As the elections approach, several prominent leaders from these parties have changed sides, aiming to rejuvenate or advance their political careers. Notably, AAP has welcomed several former BJP leaders, offering them tickets to contest. Among them is Pravesh Ratan, who is running from Patel Nagar (SC) against BJP's Raaj Kumar Anand. Interestingly, they faced off in the 2020 elections as candidates from opposing parties.

Defectors in Key Contests

Other notable BJP defectors include Jitender Singh Shunty and Surinder Pal Bittu, now contesting on AAP tickets from Shahdara and Timarpur, respectively. Brahm Singh Tanwar, BB Tyagi, and Anil Jha have also joined AAP and are contesting from Chhatarpur, Laxmi Nagar, and Kirari. Anil Jha's candidacy in Kirari came at the expense of outgoing AAP MLA Rituraj Jha.

The BJP has managed to attract former Congress heavyweights like Arvinder Singh Lovely and Kailash Gahlot into its ranks. Lovely is contesting from Gandhi Nagar while Gahlot is running from Bijwasan. Additionally, former Congress leaders Raj Kumar Chauhan, Neeraj Basoya, and Tarvinder Marwah are now BJP candidates in Mangolpuri, Kasturba Nagar, and Jangpura.

Congress Welcomes New Faces

The Congress has embraced outgoing AAP MLAs Dharam Pal Lakra and Abdul Rehman by fielding them from Mundka and Seelampur. Alongside them is AAP councillor Rajesh Gupta who joined Congress with Lakra and is now contesting from Kirari. Former AAP MLAs Devender Sehrawat and Haji Ishraq have also joined Congress to contest from Bijwasan and Babarpur.

AAP has also brought in former Congress leaders like Veer Singh Dhingan for Seemapuri, Sumesh Shokeen for Matiala, and Zubair Ahmed for Seelampur shortly after they joined the party. These moves reflect strategic shifts aimed at strengthening their positions in key constituencies.

Triangular Contest Expected

The elections are expected to feature a triangular contest between AAP, BJP, and Congress. Political observers believe that several of these new entrants could deliver surprising results. Congress leaders have expressed confidence in Devender Sehrawat's prospects along with Haji Ishraq and Abdul Rehman.

The battle for Delhi promises to be intense as votes will be counted on February 8.