The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is gearing up to contest all 70 seats in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, with its first list of candidates expected to be announced by mid-January. According to party officials, Delhi has been divided into five zones, and the process of finalizing candidates in each zone is in full swing.
A senior BSP official described the upcoming elections, scheduled for February, as both “interesting and challenging.” Coordinators have been assigned to oversee the candidate selection in each zone, ensuring recommendations are sent to BSP chief Mayawati for final approval. The list is anticipated to be finalized by January 15.
Historically, the BSP has contested all 70 seats in Delhi since 2008 but has struggled to gain significant traction. In the 2020 Assembly elections, the party secured a mere 0.71% vote share and failed to win any seats. Its highest performance came in 2008, with a 14.05% vote share and two seats. Despite recent setbacks, the party is optimistic about reclaiming ground in the capital.
On the ground, small-scale meetings are underway to identify key issues and agendas, with candidate selection informed by these discussions. The BSP plans to kick off its poll campaign on January 5, with Mayawati and her key leaders expected to hold rallies under the guidance of zonal coordinators.
The upcoming Delhi Assembly elections are expected to feature a fierce battle between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While AAP has already released its candidate list, featuring prominent names like Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi and Atishi in Kalkaji, the BSP is determined to make its presence felt, banking on its grassroots efforts and inclusive agenda.
