DELHI ELECTIONS: MILLENNIALS AND THE BALLOT SHAPING DELHI'S DESTINY
Nishita Singh,
Rayat Bahra University, Mohali
Delhi legislative assembly elections, which were held on February 05, 2025, marked the end of a battle amongst nearly 700 candidates from 70 constituencies. Although AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) has been ruling the national capital for the past 10 years, this time, the voter population is inclusive of the millennial generation, with approximately 2.08 lakh first-time voters aged 18-19 who have a different outlook towards the society and politics altogether. Hence, political parties are focusing on youth-centric policies like education, employment, and financial aid. As millennials shape the electoral landscape, their concerns and aspirations play a pivotal role in determining Delhi’s political future.
THE MANIFESTO: A WAVE OF PROMISES
A. KEJRIWAL KI GUARANTEE (AAP):
The Manifesto of Aam Adami Party (AAP) laid major emphasis on including ₹2,100 cash hand-out for poor women, free treatment for the elderly in all hospitals, and ₹18,000 monthly allowance for Hindu and Sikh priests. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal also assured that employment generation remains a priority, ensuring better job opportunities for the youth, which may have a positive impact on the votes from millennials. The party also claimed that all ongoing welfare promises will be continued if the party returns to power.
B. VIKSIT DELHI SANKALP PATRA 2025 (BJP):
The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) signifies welfare, infrastructure, and governance reforms in their manifesto for Delhi legislative elections 2025. They assured ₹2,500 monthly aid for women and ₹21,000 maternity benefits, which will positively impact the vote bank through women. It commits to implementing ‘Ayushman Bharat Yojana’ from the first cabinet meeting. The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) promises to provide free KG (kinder garden) to PG (post-graduation) education and grating ₹15,000 to the students for preparation for competitive exams. Additionally, it aims to continue all the prevailing facilities in the city if it comes to power.
C. NYAY PATRA (INC):
The Indian National Congress manifesto for the 2025 Delhi elections focuses on social welfare, healthcare, education, and employment. It commits to introducing the ‘Yuva Udaan Yojana’, providing ₹8,500 per month to the educated unemployed youth through a one-year apprenticeship program. It also assured a dedicated ministry for Purvanchalis to address regional concerns. Their focus was on pensions for senior citizens and widows, healthcare initiatives, and job reservations for women. The congress committed to install ₹ 5 meals at Indira Gandhi Canteens.
EXIT POLLS: THE SWINGING MARGINS
In the Delhi legislative elections 2025, most of the exit polls are indicating that the decade-long governance of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) may come to an end. The projections depict that Prime Minister Narender Modi’s Bhartiya Janta Party may return to power after 27 years by winning around 41-65 seats, whereas the Aam Adami Party is estimated to secure only 10-44 seats. The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) is poised to get a majority in the 70-member assembly, proclaiming a clean sweep. However, the exit polls have had mixed accuracy in the past, and the voters should wait for the D-day on February 08, 2025, as no conclusion could be drawn till the final counting of all the votes.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections will be shaped by promises from all major parties, precisely the Aam Aadmi Party, Bhartiya Janta Party, and Indian National Congress. Their concerns regarding Delhi’s pressing issues would directly impact their vote banks. Moreover, the voters consist of a major crunch of youth or millennials who are aware of the needs and improvements of their city. Very wisely, and rationally, they shall choose the right candidate from the right party with the best track record of fulfilling the promises of growth and development. All three major parties in the race have different agendas to appeal to and convince the public to be on their side. The Congress seeks to appeal with welfare schemes, healthcare improvements, and employment opportunities. All these political parties have presented well-designed manifestos, yet none directly addresses rising pollution, women’s safety, or civic neglect — issues that were central to the earlier manifestos. They included a pollution-free Delhi plan, women’s safety initiatives, and measures to slash pollution by a third. With each party promising tangible benefits, the electoral outcome will depend on how voters assess these proposals concerning their long-term impact on Delhi’s growth and governance. Ultimately, millennial voters are likely to play a decisive role in these elections.
REFERENCES
1. Times of India, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/exit-poll-results-2025-live-updates-axis-my-india-todays-chanakya-delhi-assembly-election-result/liveblog/117980486.cms, (last visited February 08, 2025 )
2. DD News, https://ddnews.gov.in/en/delhi-polls-counting-begins-bjp-leads-in-very-early-trends/, (last visited February 08, 2025)