BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri Leads in Kalkaji Against Delhi CM Atishi, Early Trends Indicate

Former BJP Member of Parliament Ramesh Bidhuri, who has been fielded from the Kalkaji assembly constituency against Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, was leading in the initial vote count on Saturday, early trends indicated.

Bidhuri, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has had an extensive political career. He has represented South Delhi in Parliament twice and has served as a Delhi MLA three times. Born in 1961, he has been actively engaged in politics since 1993. From 1997 to 2003, he served as the district president of the BJP, followed by a tenure as vice president of Delhi BJP between 2003 and 2008.

Previously elected thrice as the BJP MLA from Tughlakabad, Bidhuri has been fielded from Kalkaji this time to contest against Delhi CM Atishi. His campaign was marked by controversy due to his remarks against Atishi.

During his campaign, Bidhuri stirred debate by comparing Atishi to a deer, stating, “The people of Delhi are suffering in the streets... Look at their condition. In the last four years, Atishi never met the people, and now, with elections approaching, she is moving through the streets like a deer in the forest.”

Further controversy arose when Bidhuri questioned Atishi’s surname change, alleging inconsistency in her identity. Speaking at an election rally in Rohini on January 6, he remarked, “This Marlena (Atishi's former surname) became Singh and changed her name. Kejriwal had sworn not to align with the corrupt Congress, and now Marlena has changed her identity. Earlier she was Marlena, now she has become Singh. This reflects their character.”

As the election unfolds, the final results are expected to shape the political landscape in the national capital.