In a significant move ahead of the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, Congress released its second list of 26 candidates on Tuesday, intensifying its efforts to challenge the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the upcoming polls. The second list includes several key names, with Farhan Suri being fielded to contest the Jangpura seat against AAP?s heavyweight leader Manish Sisodia. Additionally, Dharampal Chandela has been named as the party?s candidate for the Rajouri Garden constituency, while Pradeep Kumar Upmanyu will represent Congress from the Delhi Cantonment constituency.
This follows the release of the first list of Congress candidates on December 21, as the party works to finalize its slate for the crucial elections. The candidate announcements are seen as part of Congress's larger strategy to regain ground in Delhi, where it has faced fierce competition from AAP in recent years.
Meanwhile, Delhi Congress President Devendra Yadav launched a scathing attack on AAP leader and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, questioning his eligibility to continue in office. Yadav, in an interview with ANI, raised concerns about Kejriwal's unfulfilled promises, accusing the AAP leader of failing to implement the agenda laid out during his previous campaigns.
"I have a simple question for him ? is he (Arvind Kejriwal) eligible (to become CM)? Has the court given him permission to sign the file? All the promises he made have not been fulfilled. He can only make announcements, but can he answer what he has implemented?" Yadav said.
The remarks come amid rising discontent within Delhi over Kejriwal?s leadership, particularly following his arrest earlier this year in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. Kejriwal was released from Tihar Jail in July after being granted bail by the Supreme Court. However, the court restricted him from visiting the CM office and signing official documents.
In a dramatic turn of events, Kejriwal announced his resignation from the CM post, stating he would not return to the position unless the public grants him a "certificate of honesty" by re-electing AAP to power in the 2025 elections. Atishi, another prominent leader in the party, succeeded him as the Chief Minister of Delhi.
