New Delhi: BJP leader Parvesh Verma has strongly criticized Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Chief Arvind Kejriwal for not fulfilling his promises to clean the Yamuna River. Verma, contesting from the New Delhi Assembly constituency, called on voters to support the BJP, accusing Kejriwal of inaction during his time in office.
“Kejriwal promised to clean the Yamuna but did nothing. He blamed the Haryana government for polluting the river but had three chances to fix it and still failed. This time, people have decided to bring in a BJP government. The lotus will bloom in New Delhi too,” Verma said.
Verma further accused Kejriwal of misleading Delhi residents for over a decade. “He had 11 years to deliver but cheated the people instead. Cleaning the Yamuna will be our priority. Delhi needs a good government, and this time voters won’t fall for his lies,” he added.
Voting for Delhi’s 70 assembly seats began Wednesday morning under tight security. Polls opened at 7:00 am and will close at 6:00 pm. The capital has over 1.56 crore registered voters, including 83.7 lakh men, 72.3 lakh women, and 1,267 third-gender voters. Among them are nearly 2.4 lakh first-time voters aged 18-19, over 1 lakh elderly voters aged 85 and above, and around 79,000 people with disabilities.
To ensure smooth polling, around 98,000 personnel and 8,700 volunteers have been deployed, supported by 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), 19,000 Home Guards, and over 35,000 Delhi Police officers.
Special arrangements include 70 women-managed polling stations and 70 run by persons with disabilities. Another 70 stations have been set up to attract young voters. Voters can also use the AI-based “Delhi Election – 2025 QMS” app to check crowd levels at polling stations. Medical teams are on standby, and facilities like creches for parents with young children have been arranged. Voters can also get help via a helpline number (1950) for any election-related queries.
The BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has focused its campaign on issues like Yamuna pollution and alleged corruption under the AAP government. Meanwhile, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have accused AAP of damaging Delhi's infrastructure.
Key constituencies include New Delhi, Jangpura, and Kalkaji. AAP, which holds over 60 of the 70 seats, is seeking a third term based on its past performance.
In New Delhi, it’s a high-profile three-way battle between Arvind Kejriwal (AAP), Parvesh Verma (BJP), and Sandeep Dikshit (Congress), son of former CM Sheila Dikshit. Kalkaji sees Delhi CM Atishi (AAP) facing Congress's Alka Lamba and BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri. In Jangpura, AAP’s Manish Sisodia is up against Congress’s Farhad Suri and BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah.
As the ruling AAP aims for a third consecutive term, the BJP is determined to reclaim power in Delhi.