Political parties have started doing spadework for the Delhi Assembly elections which will be held probably in January next year. The process of identifying and scanning probable candidates is in progress and AAP has already started canvassing on a big scale. Little bridie says that this election will test all the might of AAP which has been in power in Delhi since 2013.

Congress which lost power in 2013 to AAP is desperate to make a comeback is pulling its socks up while BJP buoyed by its success in Lok Sabha polls, wants to control the assembly too.

Delhi gets its first CM as Chaudhary Brahm Prakash in 1952

The Delhi State Legislative Assembly came into being on March 17, 1952. The Assembly consisted of 48 members. On March 17, 1952, Chaudhary Brahm Prakash from the Congress party became the Chief Minister.

Later, on February 12, 1955, Gurmukh Nihal Singh became the Chief Minister and served until November 1, 1956. After that, Delhi became a Union Territory under the states reorganization act of 1956 and like Chandigarh, no Assembly elections were held there. Between 1956 and 1990, the administration of Delhi was managed by the Municipal Corporation with 61 members, headed by the Lieutenant Governor.

Sarkaria Commission examination

Then in 1987, the Rajiv Gandhi government appointed the Sarkaria Committee (which was later called the Balakrishnan Committee) to examine various issues related to the administration of the Union Territory of Delhi and to recommend measures for streamlining the administrative setup.

The Committee submitted its report on December 14, 1989, and recommended that Delhi should continue to be a Union Territory but should be provided with a Legislative Assembly with appropriate powers to address matters of concern to the common man.

Assembly elections resume from 1993.

Article 239AA of the Constitution of India, which came into effect on February 1, 1992, provided for the establishment of a Legislative Assembly for the National Capital Territory of Delhi. In accordance to that , election was conducted in 1993 and BJP's Madan Lal Khurana who was a popular leader of Delhi in those days became the CM. His tenure was from 1993 to 1996 precisely for some 27 months. He was replaced by Sahib Singh Verma who remained CM for about 31 months.

Delhi gets first woman CM- Sushma Swaraj

Sahib Singh Verma was replaced by Sushma Swaraj who was an excellent orator. But she was picked up at the nick of time just like current CM Atishi. Swaraj remained on the chair for about 52 days.

It was on the back of rising onion prices that Congress party gave a stunning defeat to Sushma Swaraj and she had to pass over the reins of the government to Sheila Dixit of the Congress party in 1998.

Congress- Sheila Dixit government 1998-2013

Sheila Dixit who was known for her flawless and effective communication, is credited for the transformation of Delhi. In her 15-year-old tenure, she is attributed for making Delhi into a world class city with modern means of transportation and infrastructure. It was during her tenure in 2002 when Delhi Metro was inaugurated. She had a smooth run till 2013 when Arvind Kejriwal riding on the back of anger against the UPA government and various allegations against UPA, formed AAP to capitalize on the advantage due to the anna movement, dislodged her from power.

AAP government since 2013

AAP was called as a start up in politics and with leaders like Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and others like Kiran Bedi, Kumar Vishvas to name a few, there was a galaxy of social workers who were trying to present an alternative to the style of politics of Congress & BJP.

AAP contested Delhi elections for the first time and formed the government. Kejriwal had become the new star which was born in politics. His outfit secured 29.7 % and 28 seats. Congress which had ruled Delhi was no more its sultan and was reduced to merely 8 seats. However, BJP gained in this election and became the largest party with 31 seats.

This started an era of tiff with the centre and Lt governor and a blame game which has now become almost a regular feature between Delhi government and union government. In subsequent elections, AAP has been able to hold onto the power in the state with its agenda on education, power, subsidies, Mohalla clinics & such issues which have a direct appeal among the voters.