The BJP has released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, with 29 names announced. Former MP Parvesh Verma will be contesting against AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi seat, while Chief Minister Atishi's opponent will be former MP Ramesh Bidhuri in Kalkaji. Other key candidates include national office-bearers Dushyant Kumar Gautam and Ashish Sood. This announcement comes as the latest development in the highly anticipated elections, with more updates to come.
Parvesh Verma to Contest Against Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi Assembly Elections
New Delhi, India - The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled its first list of 29 candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, including former MP Parvesh Verma, who will face off against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi seat.
Verma, a three-time MP from West Delhi, is a prominent BJP leader and a vocal critic of Kejriwal. He has been embroiled in several controversies, including allegations of hate speech and inciting violence against Muslims.
Other key candidates on the BJP's list include:
The AAP, which came to power in Delhi in 2015 and won a resounding victory in 2020, has yet to release its candidate list. The Congress, the main opposition party in the national parliament, is also expected to announce its candidates soon.
Background:
The Delhi Assembly elections are scheduled to be held on February 8, 2025. The BJP, AAP, and Congress are the main contenders in the contest. The BJP is seeking to regain power in Delhi after a two-term AAP government.
The AAP has been in the spotlight recently due to allegations of corruption and mismanagement. However, the party remains popular in Delhi, thanks to its focus on public welfare schemes such as free healthcare and education.
The Congress, on the other hand, has been struggling to rebuild its base in Delhi. The party has not won an assembly election in Delhi since 1998.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the Central Bureau of Investigation's appeal against the acquittal of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and four others in the murder case of former sect manager Ranjit Singh. The case, which has seen multiple twists and turns, has been referred to Justice Bela M. Trivedi's bench, which is already hearing a related petition filed by the victim's father. The CBI has argued that Ram Rahim orchestrated the murder after suspecting Singh of leaking an anonymous letter accusing him of sexual misconduct. The case has attracted widespread public attention due to Ram Rahim's involvement and frequent paroles from prison.
As Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule voices the public demand for Minister Dhananjay Munde's resignation, a petition filed in the Bombay High Court by Dhananjay Deshmukh, brother of the murdered sarpanch, is withdrawn. The petition had alleged that Munde was linked to a criminal syndicate involved in the murder of his sibling in 2024. Sule cites a precedent in which a former Maharashtra CM resigned over a scam, calling for similar sensitivity towards this case.
The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025, with voting to take place on February 5 and counting of votes on February 8. The recent release of the final electoral roll shows a 1.09 per cent increase in the number of voters since the last draft. CEC Rajiv Kumar addressed concerns over EVMs and the election procedure, asserting the transparency and credibility of the Indian election process. The AAP, BJP and Congress are gearing up for a three-way battle, with the AAP currently in the lead after sweeping 2020 Delhi elections.
With the Delhi Assembly elections just around the corner, AICC Delhi in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin believes that the Congress party will successfully appeal to voters by focusing on key issues affecting citizens. He emphasized that the party only makes promises that have been fulfilled in Congress-ruled states and will prioritize cleaning the Yamuna, improving women's safety, reducing corruption, and addressing unemployment, all of which have been neglected by the current AAP government.
The BJP has refuted Delhi CM Atishi's accusation that her official residence was taken away by the Centre, stating that the allotment was withdrawn for her failure to take possession and ongoing CBI/ED investigation. The AAP leader, however, remains undeterred and vows to work for the people of Delhi even if it means operating from the streets. Delhi's 2025 election poll schedule has also been announced, with voting to take place on February 5 and results on February 8.
During a news conference in Mar-a-Lago, President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Trump believes that the new name has a "beautiful ring" and is more appropriate, especially given the current state of relations between the US and Mexico. While this isn't the first time renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America has been proposed, Trump's announcement has caused controversy and garnered attention.
The nation bids farewell to former President Jimmy Carter as his funeral procession takes place from the U.S. Navy Memorial to the Capitol in Washington D.C. The event was attended by many political figures and members of the public, paying their respects to the late President. Despite the solemn atmosphere, the streets were lined with people celebrating Carter's life and legacy.
Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan has released the draft guidelines for the UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025. These new regulations aim to bring flexibility, inclusivity, and excellence in faculty recruitment and career progression in Indian higher education institutions. They also align with the goals of the New Education Policy-2020 (NEP-2020) and place emphasis on Indian languages and interdisciplinary backgrounds. Additionally, the guidelines include specialized recruitment pathways for fields such as Yoga, Music, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Sculpture, and Drama to attract the best talent and preserve India's cultural heritage.
Hickman, a former Parkland High School student, is scheduled to appear in Forsyth Superior Court for slapping a teacher and making threats towards her. The incident was captured on a viral video which showed the teacher remaining calm as she was assaulted and verbally abused. Hickman's case was continued by Judge Aaron Berlin on Monday.
Self-styled godman Asaram, who was convicted in two separate rape cases, has been granted interim bail by the Supreme Court on medical grounds. However, the bail is only until March 31 and he will remain in jail as he has to obtain bail in another rape case. Asaram's request for bail was based on his deteriorating health condition, for which he had previously received treatment in Pune and AIIMS Jodhpur. The Supreme Court also ordered police officers to escort him to the hospital for treatment without imposing any restrictions on where he should go.