Alka Lamba, Congress Mahila Morcha president, is contesting from Kalkaji constituency in the 2025 Assembly elections.
New Delhi: In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Guardian, Congress Mahila Morcha President Alka Lamba discussed the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. Lamba expressed confidence in Congress’s potential comeback, attributing the growing support for the party to the failures of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) during its two terms in power.
Q. In the last two elections, Congress failed to secure a single seat in the capital. How do you think this election could change the party’s fortunes?
A. When the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) emerged in 2013, they started from scratch, while Congress had a strong foundation from its three consecutive terms in Delhi. Though we find ourselves starting over, we are confident of a strong comeback. The people of Delhi have witnessed how the BJP and AAP’s constant conflicts have left the city in disarray. Neither party was able to sustain the development initiated under Sheila Dikshit’s leadership. The stagnation caused by this political tussle has left people frustrated, and they are now seeking a reliable alternative. We believe that the people of Delhi are returning to Congress, giving us their votes and support as we present them with a renewed vision for the city’s future.
Q. You have traditionally contested from Chandni Chowk, but this time you’re running from Kalkaji. How was this decision made, and what was your reaction to it?
A. Back in 1995, at just 19 years old, I contested the Delhi University elections, which represented 80 colleges. During that time, I travelled extensively across Delhi and became familiar with the situation in every corner of the city. In 2003, I contested against Madan Lal Khurana from Moti Nagar, followed by contests in Chandni Chowk, and now from Kalkaji. Delhi is my home. I was born and raised here, completed my schooling and college in the city, and deeply understand its essence. The development work I achieved in Chandni Chowk will be replicated in Kalkaji, as my commitment to serving Delhi remains unwavering.
Q. There are allegations of irregularities in the voter list. What is the current situation in Kalkaji regarding this issue?
A. In Kalkaji, the number of polling booths has been reduced from 161 to 143, while the voter count has increased significantly to around 2 lakh. Such changes raise questions about democracy and its integrity. We hope that all these concerns are addressed by the relevant authorities, including the Election Commission. We will remain vigilant, and if necessary, raise these issues and demand answers.
Q. Congress has also entered the race of offering freebies, similar to AAP. What are your thoughts on this strategy?
A. The AAP has been deceitful and dishonest. Over the last 10 years, issues like unemployment and price hikes have worsened in Delhi. Despite making numerous promises, they have not delivered for women in the city. Now, as elections approach, and sensing their potential loss, they are making various promises to attract voters. They made similar announcements in Punjab, yet in the 36 months since coming to power, no amount has been transferred to women there. Women in Punjab even protested outside Arvind Kejriwal’s residence, demanding their rights, but he didn’t have the courage to come out and face them. In contrast, we are delivering on our promises. We promised Rs 2,000 to women in Karnataka, and today, and they are receiving the amount every month. Similarly, in Delhi, under the Pyaari Didi Yojana, we will give Rs 2,500 to every woman to empower her financially and provide comfort.
Q. BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri has made statements about Atishi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. How do you respond to his remarks?
A. Ramesh Bidhuri will face significant backlash in Kalkaji due to his disrespectful comments and actions toward women. Recently, serious allegations were made against the Haryana BJP state president, and the silence of BJP leaders, including the Prime Minister, has fuelled resentment in Kalkaji. Despite being an MP for ten years, Biduri has done nothing for Kalkaji, and his offensive language has further distanced him from the people. My real contest is against the AAP and Atishi Marlena, by focusing on developmental issues. Kalkaji has been mired in issues such as corruption and drug-related crimes under the guise of progress. Those who claim to represent the common man have spent Rs 33 crores on luxury, promoted expensive cars, and caused a Rs 2,000 crore loss in the liquor scam. They campaigned on slogans of corruption-free governance, Jan Lokpal, Swaraj, and Lokayukta, yet delivered none of these. Even Kejriwal himself went to jail for corruption and is now out on bail. The court has restricted his powers, and despite this, he continues to claim he can govern. He resigned because the court clipped his authority, yet he refuses to acknowledge the reality. Bidhuri’s offensive remarks about a woman Chief Minister were deeply hurtful, as he called her temporary and weak. Atishi, as a woman, should be respected within her party. AAP’s failure to include the sitting woman Chief Minister in their campaign shows their disrespect for women, and the people of Kalkaji have taken notice of it. This will lead to the party’s decline.
Q. Congress has struggled in Kalkaji in the last few elections. What is your strategy to turn things around this time?
A. In 1993, BJP’s Purnima Sethi won in Kalkaji. Since then, the party has never won this seat. Congress held it for three consecutive terms, and even Akali Dal managed to win it once. The Aam Aadmi Party has won twice, but their last candidate was dropped, and this time, Atishi Marlena is contesting for the second time. The residents of Kalkaji have a traditional and inclusive mindset, where Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians coexist harmoniously. After 1993, BJP did not get another chance, and this time will be no different. The people of Kalkaji are returning to Congress after seeing the state of affairs during the last two terms of the Aam Aadmi Party. The discontent and unhappiness are evident. Even AAP’s own leaders, such as Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, have highlighted the filth and mismanagement in Kalkaji on social media. From garbage piles and dug-up roads to tangled wires and severe traffic jams, the constituency has been neglected. There’s no space for parking vehicles, drug-related crimes are on the rise, and daily lifehas become a struggle. When Atishi went to file her nomination, she did so with a massive convoy, causing severe traffic jams that inconvenienced Kalkaji’s residents. She couldn’t even file her nomination on time, and people couldn’t reach their destinations either. I took lesson from this. That is why I filed my nomination in a simple manner, with my supporters, using just one car. I believe in not troubling the people of Kalkaji or Delhi and in leading by example.
Q. You have been critical of Atishi, calling her a ‘Temporary CM.’ How do you view her as your opponent in this election?
A. Referring to her as a “Temporary Chief Minister” highlights her lack of authority, as there is no provision for a temporary CM in the constitution. Her silence only reinforces this perception. Even the AAP avoids using her photo in its campaigns, instead promoting Kejriwal. She acts like a puppet, doing what Kejriwal directs. She should have opposed the liquor policy, but she didn’t. Decisions like allowing liquor bottles to be purchased one at a time and reducing the legal drinking age from 25 to 21 were passed without resistance. As an MLA, Atishi should have raised her voice, but instead, she supported these measures, proving her weakness and inability to stand firm. Kalkaji does not want a puppet Chief Minister, a weak MLA, or someone who hasn’t achieved anything significant in five years. This is why the people want change in leadership. They are rejecting a weak and ineffective leader and are turning back to Congress.
Q. How is the Delhi Congress planning to regain its lost vote share, which has fallen to an all-time low in the capital?
A. Many of our votes shifted to the Aam Aadmi Party. Now, people are disillusioned with AAP. They lost all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi. Even in Haryana, where we gave them a seat, they lost it to the BJP, while Congress won five. Now, people are returning to Congress with their votes, support, and trust. They have realised that the allegations against us were false and baseless. AAP has failed to resolve critical issues like poor quality of air and water, and the Yamuna’s condition. A “Temporary Chief Minister” cannot resolve persistent problems. The people of Delhi are looking for a permanent solution, and they believe Congress is the party that can provide it. We are coming back, and the people are placing their faith in us once again.