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Alka Lamba has been fielded against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi.
Congress leader Alka Lamba and Delhi CM Atishi
The Congress Party on Friday announced All India Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba as its candidate from the Kalkaji constituency in the upcoming Delhi assembly elections.
Lamba will face off against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi in the poll battle.
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) press release stated, “The Central Election Committee has approved the candidature of Alka Lamba as Congress candidate to contest the forthcoming general election to the Legislative Assembly of Delhi from 51 – Kalkaji constituency.”
The Kalkaji constituency has been considered as a stronghold of AAP. Atishi, who became Chief Minister in September 2024 following AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation, has been a prominent figure in the party. She has been representing the seat since 2015.
Who is Alka Lamba?
Lamba is currently serving as the president of the All India Mahila Congress. A former AAP leader, she has served as a legislator from the Chandni Chowk seat. She returned to the Congress in 2019 after resigning from AAP, citing disrespect within the party.
She has in the past contested unsuccessfully against Arvind Kejriwal as well.
Lamba reacted to her candidature against Atishi and said that she is not contesting against the CM as Kejriwal himself termed Atishi as ‘temporary CM’.
“I don’t think I am contesting against the CM. Arvind Kejriwal himself called Atishi a ‘temporary CM,’ so she has only a month left. Kejriwal won’t return anyway. As a woman holding a constitutional post, she is disrespecting her position. Atishi must clarify her stance on being called a ‘temporary CM’ by Kejriwal,” Lamba said as quoted by PTI.
Congress’ Other Candidates
The Congress has fielded a total of 48 candidates so far for the upcoming Delhi Elections, which are likely to be held in February 2025. Although the current Delhi assembly’s term is set to expire on February 23, 2025, the Election Commission of India has not announced the dates yet.
While Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav has been named the party’s candidate from Badli, former Lok Sabha member and son of three-time Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Sandeep Dikshit, has been fielded from New Delhi — a constituency currently represented by Kejriwal. The Congress has not been able to win any seat in the last two Delhi polls.
Meanwhile, the BJP is yet to declare its list of candidates.
