Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the convenor of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is gearing up for one of his most challenging political battles, once again from the New Delhi constituency, in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded its former MP, Parvesh Verma - the son of former Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma - while the Congress has given a ticket to Sandeep Dikshit, son of late Sheila Dikshit, former long-time chief minister of the national capital.

This sets the stage for a fierce triangular contest between the AAP, the BJP and the Congress for one of the city's most high-profile constituencies.

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This election is especially interesting as it features the sons — Sandeep Dikshit and Parvesh Verma — of two former chief ministers, squaring off against Kejriwal, a three-time chief minister.

Kejriwal's political journey has been marked by significant shifts in Delhi’s political landscape, particularly after his victory over Sheila Dikshit in 2013.

This election, for the AAP leader, is more than just a fight for the New Delhi seat. Following his arrest in a 2024 money laundering case and subsequent resignation from the chief minister's post, this is his chance to restore his political stature and reclaim the Delhi chief minister's position.

The BJP has already launched a full-scale attack on the incumbent AAP and Kejriwal, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasising that his vision is for all citizens to have "pucca houses" in contrast to the AAP convenor's alleged mismanagement.

Congress' candidate Sandeep Dikshit, on the other hand, views this election as an opportunity for a political comeback. He had lost his seat in 2014 after serving as an MP for two terms.

He has been vocal about his mother’s legacy. He argues that she was "unfairly" targeted during her tenure, especially over allegations regarding the use of government resources for personal purposes. He has also accused Kejriwal of misusing government funds for his own residence renovation.

Kejriwal is aiming for a fourth consecutive term from the New Delhi constituency. His initial win in 2013 was a political earthquake. He had defeated Sheila Dikshit by a significant margin of 25,000 votes.

This victory was followed by strong showings in the 2015 and 2020 elections. It further solidified his hold on the constituency. But now, with the Congress and the BJP putting up formidable candidates, the outcome remains uncertain.

The Election Commission is expected to announce the election schedule soon. As of now, it is anyone's guess who will emerge victorious in this high-stakes contest.

Created in 1993, the New Delhi Assembly segment has historically been a stronghold for the Congress party. Sheila Dikshit won three consecutive terms between 1998 and 2008.

As the election approaches, local concerns continue to dominate discussions in the constituency. Issues such as water crisis, traffic congestion and unemployment are at the forefront for many residents. The people of Pilanji village, for instance, are still grappling with irregular water supply, while the youth of Valmiki Basti are concerned about the lack of job opportunities.

Government promises, particularly for public sector workers, allegedly remain largely unfulfilled. Young residents like Mohit and Vipin from Valmiki Basti said employment is their primary issue this time.

While unemployment seems to be one of the most pressing concerns, especially in areas like Valmiki Basti and Sanjay Basti, illegal encroachments leading to regular traffic jams, especially during peak hours in other areas of the assembly segment.

Residents of Dayanand Basti and Pilani Village are grappling with poor quality water. "Dirty water supply is still a big issue. The pipelines have been laid, but there are still problems in many areas," said a slum dweller who preferred to be identified by his second name, Gopi.

The families of deceased NDMC workers are demanding jobs for their kin, as promised by the government. Vijaypal Singh, a retired NDMC employee, said, "The government promised jobs to the families of NDMC workers who died on duty, but those promises remain unfulfilled. The Mohalla Clinics are also shut."

As the election draws closer, once again, it is clear that the New Delhi constituency finds itself at the crossroads of political change, with key issues impacting the lives of its residents and the future of Delhi’s leadership.

The team led by Ammad Butt, finally secured their first victory with a 2-1 win over Japan and then delivered a decisive 5-1 win against China, to enter the semi-finals. Their final pool match ended in a narrow 2-1 loss to India.

Now777sm, the top four teams have entered the semifinals and the last two teams will have to fight for the fifth spot on the table. India have won all of their five matches. Pakistan are second with two wins and two draws.