Delhi Polls: Manish Sisodia welcomes BJP leaders to AAP in Jangpura amid tough contest

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Manish Sisodia on Thursday welcomed several BJP leaders and workers from Jangpura into the party ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections. The high-stakes polls for the 70-member assembly will take place on February 5, with results to be announced on February 8.

Sisodia, who has shifted from his stronghold of Patparganj to contest from Jangpura, is facing a tough battle in the constituency. Alongside AAP MP Sanjay Singh, Sisodia inducted key BJP members, including former councillor Vijaypal Singh and BJP block vice president Mohit Chaudhary, into the party.

Speaking about the development, Sisodia said, "Influenced by AAP's policies and Arvind Kejriwal's leadership, many BJP leaders have joined us. This is a significant step in building a stronger team for Jangpura."

Despite Sisodia’s three consecutive victories from Patparganj, his winning margin narrowed to just 3,207 votes in 2020, compared to a 28,761-vote margin in 2015. In Jangpura, Sisodia now faces BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah and Congress’s Farhad Suri in a tight three-way contest.

Sisodia’s campaign comes amid challenges following his resignation as deputy chief minister after being implicated in the Delhi excise scam. AAP is vying for a third consecutive term, while the BJP is determined to end its 26-year wait for power in Delhi, and Congress fights to stay relevant in the capital.