The Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) formally announced its three Lok Sabha candidates for the Capital on Monday, amidst demonstrations by a faction of workers contesting the candidacy of Udit Raj from Northwest Delhi.
Outside the Delhi Congress office, workers voiced dissent, denouncing Raj’s nomination with chants of “Bahari umeedwar nahi chalega (an outsider candidate will not be allowed),” citing his previous association with the BJP until 2019. Similar protests were reported outside the All India Congress Committee office the previous day.
Of Delhi’s seven seats, Congress is contesting three, while its ally, the Aam Aadmi Party, holds four.
Jai Prakash Agarwal, a seasoned Congress leader contesting from Chandni Chowk, emphasized his long-standing ties with the constituency, pledging to prioritize the concerns of its residents if elected. Kanhaiya Kumar, the candidate for Northeast Delhi, criticized the current government, highlighting issues of inflation, unemployment, and economic disparities.
Addressing concerns over his previous tenure with the BJP, Udit Raj, contesting from Northwest Delhi, detailed his efforts towards local development initiatives during his term as an MP. However, some protesters labeled Raj as a “BJP agent,” accusing him of jeopardizing the party’s electoral prospects.
Despite the protests, Delhi Congress Chief Arvinder Singh Lovely asserted the party’s democratic principles, allowing for open criticism within its ranks. Meanwhile, Raj engaged with the demonstrators to address their grievances.
In response, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor commented on the internal discord within the Congress, suggesting widespread discontent among its leaders and workers.
The demonstrations underscore the internal challenges facing the Delhi Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, highlighting the delicate balance between party unity and individual aspirations.