Delhi's middle class, Purvanchali voters ditch AAP for BJP
What's the story
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears to be gaining support from Delhi's middle class and Purvanchali voters, who were instrumental in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s landslide victories in 2015 and 2020.
Early trends show the BJP was leading in the majority of the middle-class-dominated seats in South Delhi, Central Delhi, and New Delhi, and in Purvanchali community.
The Purvanchali community dominates at least 25 of Delhi's 70 assembly seats, according to the 2011 census data.
Political strategies
AAP, BJP strategize to attract Purvanchali voters
The influence of the Poorvanchali people is not a secret, as in the past too, the BJP and AAP had sought to attract the voters.
The AAP formed a special task force under Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh to reach out to this community in seven Lok Sabha constituencies of Delhi.
Likewise, the BJP formed a team of Purvanchali leaders to win over this community. The party deployed around 100 leaders from UP, Bihar to campaign in Delhi assembly polls.
Candidate selection
Purvanchali candidates fielded in Delhi Assembly elections
For the assembly polls, both parties have also fielded Purvanchali candidates on other seats.
The AAP has fielded at least 12 Purvanchali candidates, including Somnath Bharti from Malviya Nagar and Vinay Mishra from Dwarka.
Meanwhile, the BJP has given two seats to its allies; Janata Dal (United) is contesting from Burari while Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is contesting from Deoli.
Demographic shift
Rising influence of Purvanchalis in Delhi politics
The clout of Purvanchalis in Delhi politics has increased since they started migrating from Bihar in the 1980s and 1990s.
According to Delhi's Human Development Report 2013, Uttar Pradesh migrants account for 47% and Bihar migrants for 31% of the migrant population.
In the 2020 assembly elections, there were 10 MLAs with a Purvanchali background, up from nine in 2015.