Who's Contesting Where? Full BJP Candidate List For Delhi Elections 2025

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making a determined effort to regain control in Delhi after 27 years. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the charge, the BJP aims to break its long-standing power drought. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Arvind Kejriwal, seeks to maintain its hold on the capital for a third consecutive term.

Key Candidates and Caste Considerations

In preparation for the upcoming elections, scheduled for February 5 with results on February 8, the BJP has announced 59 candidates for the 70-member Assembly. The party has strategically selected candidates from significant constituencies, considering caste dynamics. Harish Khurana, son of former Delhi Chief Minister Madan Lal Khurana, will contest from Moti Nagar.

Abhay Verma, the current BJP MLA from Laxmi Nagar, will run again from his seat. He narrowly won in 2020 by just over 800 votes. Both Verma and Mishra are Purvanchalis, as are Bajrang Shukla from Kirari and Pankaj Singh from Vikaspuri. This reflects the party's focus on community representation.

Controversial Campaigning

Mishra replaced Mohan Singh Bisht as a candidate and made several speeches that rival parties criticised as inflammatory before riots erupted in northeast Delhi in February 2020. Despite this controversy, he remains a key figure in the BJP's campaign strategy.

Former Kasturba Nagar MLA Neeraj Basoya recently joined BJP from Congress and will contest from his previous constituency. Additionally, Pawan Sharma, ex-general secretary of Delhi BJP (organisation), is set to compete for Uttam Nagar, a seat he won back in 2013.

Women Candidates in Focus

The BJP has also fielded several women candidates: Deepti Indora for Matia Mahal; Urmila Kailash Gangwar for Madipur (SC); Shweta Saini for Tilak Nagar; Priyanka Gautam for Kondli (SC); and Neelam Pahalwan for Najafgarh. This move highlights the party's commitment to gender representation in politics.

Karnail Singh, head of Delhi BJP's Mandir Prakoshth (temple cell), will challenge sitting AAP MLA Satyendar Jain at Shakoor Basti. The BJP hopes these strategic choices will help them secure more seats and potentially end their long absence from power in Delhi.

The political landscape in Delhi remains competitive as both parties prepare for a crucial electoral battle. While the BJP aims to reclaim influence after decades out of power, AAP strives to continue its dominance in the capital city.