Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan has clarified his earlier comments about the Delhi Assembly Election 2025. Chavan had initially suggested that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal might win the election.
Speaking to IANS, Chavan said, "It would have been better had the Congress and AAP sealed a poll deal. It is an important election. Both parties are in the fray." He added, "I think Arvind Kejriwal-led party is in a solid position and will win the Delhi elections."
Chavan’s remarks were made amid growing tensions between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress, who were alliance partners during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Both parties are contesting the Delhi Assembly elections separately and have exchanged sharp criticisms.
Following the political debate sparked by his statement, Chavan took to social media to clarify his position. He wrote, "My remarks on the Delhi Assembly elections were interpreted out of context. If the India Alliance had fought together, the victory of the alliance would have been assured. Now that all major parties are in the fray, it has become an open election. The Congress Party has gained momentum, and I am confident we will win."
The Delhi Assembly election will be held on February 5, and the results to be announced on February 8. The last date for filing nominations is January 17, followed by the scrutiny of nominations on January 18. The deadline for withdrawal of candidatures is January 20.
The Congress, which ruled Delhi for 15 consecutive years, has faced setbacks in the last two Assembly elections. In contrast, the AAP dominated the 2020 Assembly polls, winning 62 out of 70 seats, while the BJP secured only eight seats.