Fri Dec 20 23:33:10 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Assembly Elections 2025: Dalit Vote Crucial in Three-Cornered Fight

**New Delhi:** The upcoming Delhi Assembly elections in early 2025 are shaping up to be a fierce battle for the Dalit vote, with all three major parties – the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Congress – vying for control of the 12 Scheduled Caste reserved constituencies.

The controversy surrounding Home Minister Amit Shah’s alleged disrespect of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar during a Parliament debate has injected a new dynamic into the campaign. While the BJP struggles to overcome its historical underperformance in Dalit-heavy constituencies, AAP and Congress are aggressively positioning themselves as champions of Dalit rights, hoping to capitalize on the perceived slight against Ambedkar, a revered figure within the community.

Delhi’s Dalit population, comprising 16.7% of the city’s population, is concentrated in several key constituencies, including Sultanpuri (44% Dalit voters), Karol Bagh (41%), and several others with over 30% Dalit residents. The community’s internal diversity, with various sub-castes, adds another layer of complexity to the electoral calculus.

Recent election results paint a clear picture. Congress dominated the reserved constituencies in 2008, but AAP swept all 12 seats in both 2015 and 2020, largely due to popular welfare schemes. The BJP has consistently underperformed in these areas.

The BJP, aiming to break its 26-year losing streak in Delhi, is actively courting Dalit voters through targeted outreach programs in slum areas. Congress, under Rahul Gandhi, is emphasizing the Constitution’s importance, hoping to resonate with voters.

However, both face an uphill battle against AAP’s established popularity among Dalit voters, built on social and economic initiatives. The BJP’s recent success in Haryana, where it gained significant Dalit support, offers a potential model for its Delhi strategy. The Haryana victory, achieved by presenting a united front and focusing on development, has emboldened the BJP’s efforts in Delhi.

The 2025 elections are poised to be a defining moment, with the Dalit vote potentially deciding the fate of the next Delhi government. The battle for these crucial constituencies promises to be intense and closely watched.

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