With just a couple of days remaining for the February 8 Delhi Assembly Election 2020, campaigning has reached dizzying heights and there are no laxity of efforts on part of the contenders of power to retain or reclaim this vital UT, better known as the National Capital Territory. Delhi has always remained something very coveted to conquer and among various causes, the single-most driving factor is the fact it contains the city of New Delhi, the ultimate corridors of power from where the country is ruled. Each time there is something new, but this time, a few last-minute additions have made the battle extraordinarily exciting.

There are definite reasons why Delhi battle will be important both for the NCT itself and the whole country in the bigger political context. After losing several states with Jharkhand being the latest jolt, a general perception has already started making inroads in the nation’s political canvas that Modi magic has lost its charm and the saffron is on the threshold of getting faded. Delhi outcome, thus will be a good indicator of  the future Indian politics, since another defeat will go a long way in eroding the ego-laced confidence of saffron brigade, that no doubt has roots in the overwhelming LS victory. Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party, meanwhile,  has no such ‘superiority complex’ and being a political greenhorn, is fighting elections entirely on the agenda of development which includes its delivery of promises, or claim thereto, through welfare schemes like free water, low-priced electricity, improved health facilities, better government school infrastructure and other civic amenities etc that a common citizen needs. As a brief reminder, since AAP won 67 and BJP 3 in last assembly elections, this time, there will be all-out efforts by BJP to erase this ‘shame’. And in this effort, as if as a desperate attempt, it has resorted to a narrative which contains less talks of development and more on issues such as ongoing Shaheen Bagh protest which has become the national voice against the trio of CAA-NRC-NPR. Expectedly, it has been methodical in approach to establish the above protest as an extreme expression of anti-nationalism, which has also resulted in attracting the opposition’s reprimand as ‘tools of distractions’ from all the national failures, with economy leading the chart.   

Times Now opinion poll has predicted a sweeping victory for AAP this time too. Things will be all clear by February 11 afternoon and a loss for BJP, which might well be a near reflection, if not totally, of the national sentiment, will also mean that people are in no mood to remain engrossed in issues that are remotely-concerned with their daily lives. In that sense, the ramifications of this election will flow well beyond Delhi.