Prithviraj Chavan Predicts Kejriwal's Victory in Delhi Assembly Elections
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New Delhi, Jan 8 (NationPress) As the election for the 70-member Delhi Assembly approaches in less than a month, three primary contenders—the ruling AAP, BJP, and Congress—are preparing for a fierce battle. Veteran leader and former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Prithviraj Chavan, made headlines on Wednesday by asserting that the party led by Arvind Kejriwal is poised to win a third consecutive term.
This bold proclamation emerged following the Election Commission of India's announcement of February 5 as the polling date, with the counting of votes scheduled for February 8. In a conversation with IANS, Chavan expressed his disappointment over the fractured alliance between Congress and AAP—partners in the previous Lok Sabha elections.
Chavan noted, "It would have benefitted both the Congress and AAP to finalize a poll agreement for this crucial election."
He elaborated, "I believe that the Arvind Kejriwal-led party is in a robust position and will triumph in the upcoming Delhi elections."
Previously allied during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, AAP and Congress are now contesting the Delhi Assembly elections independently. This parting of ways has led to a series of pointed criticisms exchanged between the two parties.
As Delhi braces itself for an intense three-way contest, Chavan's statements may provoke backlash from his party, as AAP could interpret this as an 'open admission of defeat' and frame Congress's role as a 'mere vote-cutter' in the elections.
The ongoing political skirmish has seen Delhi Congress leaders attacking the ten-year 'misrule' of AAP, who have retaliated in defense. Recently, Congress Treasurer Ajay Maken launched a direct assault against AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, labeling him as anti-national, while AAP demanded an apology, intensifying the political feud between the two parties.
Furthermore, Chavan advocated for the abandonment of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in favor of traditional ballot papers. He stated, "While EVMs may not have been conclusively proven flawed, this does not eliminate the potential for malfunction or rigging," referencing Germany's shift back to paper ballots after years of EVM use.
As the national capital prepares for the elections on February 5, the counting of votes is set to occur on February 8.
