Delhi: 699 candidates in fray for Feb 8 polls

A total of 699 candidates are contesting in the February 5 elections for the 70-member Delhi Assembly, showing a slight increase from the 2020 polls, where 672 candidates participated.

As per the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer, New Delhi, a high-profile constituency where AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal is facing a close contest against BJP’s Parvesh Verma and Congress’ Sandeep Dikshit, has the highest number of candidates at 23. Janakpuri follows with 16 nominees, while Rohtas Nagar, Karawal Nagar, and Laxmi Nagar each have 15 candidates.

On the other hand, Patel Nagar and Kasturba Nagar have the lowest number of candidates, with just five each. In 2020, Patel Nagar, a seat reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates, had the fewest contestants, with only four candidates.

Out of the 70 constituencies, 38 have fewer than 10 candidates. Noteworthy segments like Tilak Nagar, Mangolpuri, and Greater Kailash each have six candidates, while Chandni Chowk, Rajendra Nagar, and Malviya Nagar have seven each.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress have fielded candidates in all 70 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is contesting 68 seats, leaving two seats for its allies, Janata Dal (United) and Loktantrik Jan Shakti Party.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has put forward candidates in 69 constituencies.

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A total of 1,522 nomination papers were submitted by 981 candidates during the week-long nomination period, which started on January 10. The final list was confirmed after scrutiny on January 18, with the withdrawal deadline on January 20.

The elections will take place on February 5, and the results will be announced on February 8.

(With inputs from PTI)