The highly anticipated Lok Sabha election results in Delhi have been announced and it is a direct contest between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP and the INDIA alliance led by Aam Aadmi Party's Arvind Kejriwal and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. With 7 seats in the Lok Sabha, Delhi is a crucial battleground for both parties. The campaign has been intense and closely fought, raising the question of whether the BJP will maintain its dominance in Delhi or if the INDIA bloc can make a comeback and upset the ruling party's performance. Follow NDTV for live updates and analysis on the election results and more election coverage.
India Allance: A Strategic Alliance in the Indian Political Landscape
Background
The India Allance, or United India Alliance (UIA), is a political alliance formed in 2018 ahead of the Indian general election. It was primarily driven by a common goal of defeating the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The alliance brought together several regional and national parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Indian National Congress (INC), the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and others. The alliance was spearheaded by Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and AAP leader.
Lok Sabha Election Results in Delhi
In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the India Allance aimed to break the BJP's dominance in Delhi. The city has seven Lok Sabha seats, making it a crucial battleground for both parties.
The campaign was intense and closely fought. However, ultimately, the BJP emerged victorious, winning all seven seats. The India Allance, despite strong performances by AAP and INC candidates, failed to make a significant breakthrough in Delhi.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Why was the India Allance formed?
The India Allance was formed to challenge the BJP's dominance in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.
2. Which parties were part of the India Allance?
The India Allance included the AAP, INC, NCP, DMK, and other regional parties.
3. Who led the India Allance?
Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and AAP leader, spearheaded the India Allance.
4. Why did the India Allance fail to win any seats in Delhi?
Despite strong performances by AAP and INC candidates, the BJP's incumbency advantage and effective campaigning in Delhi proved too strong for the alliance to overcome.
5. What is the future of the India Allance?
The India Allance has not been active since the 2019 election. However, it remains a potential force in Indian politics, particularly if regional and national parties perceive the BJP as a threat to their interests.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav spoke out against the dredging of the Ganga river in Prayagraj for the upcoming Maha Kumbh festival. He criticized the move as an "environmental crime" meant to benefit a select group of individuals through corruption. Yadav also warned of potential harm to the river's ecosystem and called for leaving the rivers to follow their natural paths. The Maha Kumbh festival is set to take place from January 13 to February 26.
On January 13, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Lohri with the public in New Delhi, spreading warm wishes and highlighting the festival's cultural significance. Lohri, marking the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season, symbolizes prosperity and togetherness among people from all walks of life. The celebration was filled with joy and the traditional rituals of gathering around a bonfire, singing folk songs, and offering offerings for a successful and abundant year ahead.
Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has taken action against Allahabad High Court Judge Shekhar Yadav for his alleged anti-Muslim remarks at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad event. Khanna has requested a fresh report from the Allahabad High Court Chief Justice on the issue, after the Collegium previously met with Justice Yadav for an explanation. This is seen as a first step in the process to initiate an in-house inquiry for judicial misconduct, based on a previous Supreme Court ruling that sets guidelines for handling such cases.
In a recent interview, a former Supreme Court Justice reflects on the crucial role of the judiciary in maintaining a check-and-balance system within the government. He emphasizes the need for a certain level of distance between the judiciary and the government, and discusses his experience working with different chief justices. While admitting to having some differences in perception, he also highlights the importance of standing firm on administrative decisions to ensure the independence of the judiciary.
Odisha has become the 34th state to join the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana scheme, much to the appreciation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He criticized the previous BJD government for not adopting the scheme, which aims to provide affordable and high-quality healthcare to all citizens. The new BJP-led government in Odisha has replaced the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana with the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, in line with the national health scheme. This move is expected to benefit women and senior citizens in the state.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched his party's Delhi campaign with a fiery speech at a public meeting in the Muslim-dominated area of Seelampur. He took aim at both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, accusing them of failing to deliver on their promises. As the Congress sets its sights on reclaiming its minority vote bank, Gandhi reminded the audience of the party's past successes under former CM Sheila Dikshit and promised to prioritize Delhi's development. Despite the AAP and Congress being part of the same INDIA bloc, Gandhi made it clear that the two parties are now strong competitors in the upcoming assembly elections.
Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the Sonamarg Tunnel, Abdullah lauded Modi's efforts in bridging the gap between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the central government. He commended the smooth conduct of elections in the Union Territory and expressed hope for the restoration of statehood. Paying homage to the victims of a terrorist attack near the tunnel site, Abdullah affirmed that terrorism will not stop the region's development and democracy.
General Upendra Dwivedi, speaking at the Army's annual press conference, disclosed that only four local men in J&K joined militant ranks in 2020 and that 60% of those killed during counter-terrorism operations were from Pakistan. He emphasized that the local people were in favor of peace and that the violence in the region was being orchestrated by Pakistan. Despite the challenges faced by the Army in the past two years, recent successes in reworking the counter-terrorism grid have led to a positive change and the theme of "terrorism to tourism" is gradually becoming a reality in Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts to bridge the gap between Delhi and Union Territory. He praised the Prime Minister for keeping his promise of conducting Assembly elections in the region and stated that it has led to an increase in trust among the residents. PM Modi inaugurated the 6.5-kilometre Sonamarg Tunnel, which will now be called the Z-Morh Tunnel, in a major infrastructure boost for the region. Chief Minister Abdullah also mentioned the Centre's efforts to reduce the distance between Delhi and the heart of the region, leaving the Prime Minister with a smile.
As the number of women in India's armed forces steadily increases, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi announces plans for gender neutrality and enhanced roles for women in the military. With approximately 1,700 women officers set to join the Indian Army and other forces after training, the push for a strong and equal female presence in the tri-services is gaining momentum. The Army Chief notes that women officers have been performing exceptionally well, and efforts are being made to ensure a gender-neutral approach to their roles and opportunities in the armed forces.