Delhi elections: AAP seeks to dislodge BJP in Dwarka

But every 5 years, the alleys and backlanes in this constituency witness a growing rumble of politicians and party supporters pleading to voters to elect them. This year is no different. Here are the prime contenders for the elections this year.

Supporters of the BJP during a campaign in Sagarpur (Photo: Vishnu Varma)

Pradyuman Singh Rajput, BJP: Rajput is the incumbent candidate of the BJP and hopes to win the trust of voters once again in Dwarka. In the 2013 elections, Rajput had cruised home with a 5,000 vote lead over the AAP candidate but this time, the contest is likely to be narrower. What works for him is the fact that he is a local MLA and has been visible in Dwarka politics for a long time. Rajput also has an upperhand owing to the large Poorvanchali population, who have been generous votaries of the saffron party.

Adarsh Shastri, middle, official candidate of the AAP in Dwarka (Photo: Vishnu Varma)

Adarsh Shastri, AAP: In his door-to-door campaigns, more than invoking party leader Arvind Kejriwal, Adarsh’s supporters were seen referring to him as the grandson of former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. Adarsh took the plunge into politics 2 years ago after quitting from a top post in Apple renouncing a reportedly Rs 1.5 crore annual salary. From free wifi to security apps for women, Adarsh has a slew of promises for Dwarka and hopes to post a tough challenge for the BJP candidate.

Mahabal Mishra, Congress: Though the Congress has been downplayed in every poll prediction. Dwarka is one constituency the party can hope to win, thanks to its heavyweight candidate Mahabal Mishra. Mishra is not only a former MLA from Dwarka, but he is also a former MP from the west Delhi constituency. In the general elections last year, Congress had tom-tomed Mishra as the man who brought metro to west Delhi, but eventually he was blown away in the nation-wide Modi wave. But this time, owing to his immense fealty in Dwarka, he could create an upset.