Air India has issued an important travel advisory for passengers commuting to and from Delhi between January 19 and 26, 2025, citing restrictions related to Republic Day celebrations in the national capital. The airline has urged travelers to allow extra time for their journey and to verify flight statuses before heading to the airport.

In a statement shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Air India said, “Passengers traveling to and from Delhi between 19 & 26 Jan 2025, are requested to allow themselves more time and check the status of their flights before heading to the airport, due to Republic Day restrictions.” The airline also directed passengers to its contact center for further assistance.

Adding to the challenges, dense fog and poor visibility continue to disrupt flight operations in Delhi. Earlier in the day, Air India issued another advisory warning of potential delays due to fog and congestion at Delhi and other airports.

The city has been grappling with cold waves, contributing to worsened air quality. On Wednesday morning, the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi fell to the “very poor” category, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reporting an AQI of 344. Comparatively, the AQI was recorded at 252 on the previous day.

Notable AQI readings included Vivek Vihar at 414, Wazirpur at 408, and Rohini at 399, all indicating severe pollution levels. The air quality at multiple locations, including Nehru Nagar (394), Patparganj (390), and Okhla Phase-2 (380), reflected alarming conditions. An AQI of 401-500 signifies severe pollution, posing health risks for residents.

As Delhi prepares for Republic Day celebrations, passengers are advised to remain cautious, account for delays, and monitor updates from airlines to ensure a smoother travel experience.

With the Delhi Assembly election slated for February 5, cracks within the INDIA opposition bloc have surfaced as the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) publicly supported the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), urging Congress to step aside in favor of regional strength. This comes amidst growing tensions within the bloc, which previously showed promise during last year’s Lok Sabha polls but has since faced electoral setbacks and internal discord.

The AAP and Congress are contesting Delhi’s 70 Assembly seats independently, raising questions about the bloc’s survival and effectiveness. The rivalry escalated after Delhi Congress leader Ajay Maken’s harsh criticism of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal. In response, AAP demanded Congress’ removal as bloc leader, adding to the rift.

SP leader Akhilesh Yadav stressed the need for unity, pointing out that the INDIA bloc’s founding principle was to support regional parties best positioned to defeat the BJP. “When the alliance was formed, it was agreed that where regional parties are strong, the bloc would strengthen them. AAP is strong in Delhi, and our aim is to defeat the BJP,” Yadav said, offering SP’s support to AAP.

Echoing this sentiment, TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee referenced successful collaborations in Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand, where the Congress had taken a secondary role to regional parties like the DMK and JMM. “The INDIA bloc decided to let strong regional parties lead in their respective regions. In Delhi, AAP is the clear choice to take on the BJP,” Banerjee explained.

The INDIA bloc has faced similar challenges in other states. For instance, the Congress failed to strike a seat-sharing deal with AAP in Haryana, leading to a BJP victory. Allies like the SP and TMC have repeatedly highlighted these failures, urging Congress to prioritize unity over individual gains.

Despite the tensions, leaders like Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference have called for cohesion within the alliance. “The INDIA bloc is a permanent alliance, built for every day and every moment,” Abdullah said, emphasizing the need to overcome internal rivalries.

As the Delhi election approaches, the INDIA bloc’s ability to unite against the BJP remains in question. The Congress and AAP’s rivalry risks undermining the coalition’s collective strength, highlighting the ongoing struggle to balance local ambitions with the alliance’s broader goals.

Arvind Kejriwal, the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is set to file his nomination papers for the upcoming Delhi Assembly election from the New Delhi constituency today. Accompanied by numerous supporters, including many women whom he called “mothers and sisters” of the city, Mr. Kejriwal plans to seek blessings before the formal nomination process.

In a social media post on X, formerly Twitter, Kejriwal stated, “Today will be filing nomination for the polls. Many mothers and sisters will be accompanying me to bless me. Will visit Hanuman and Valmiki temples to seek blessings before filing nominations.”

The electoral battle for the New Delhi constituency will see Kejriwal facing off against Parvesh Verma of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress candidate Sandeep Dikshit, marking a high-stakes triangular contest.

Corruption allegations cloud campaign

Kejriwal’s campaign comes amidst controversy, as the Union Home Ministry recently approved the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) request to prosecute him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The case is linked to allegations that AAP received bribes from the “South Group,” a cartel accused of benefiting from the 2021-22 excise policy.

The former Delhi Chief Minister has denied the allegations, accusing the BJP of weaponizing central agencies against political rivals. “These charges are baseless and politically motivated,” Kejriwal has maintained.

Election fever and political accusations

The 70-member Delhi Assembly is heading for elections on February 5, with results to be announced on February 8. The campaign period has been marked by fiery exchanges between AAP, BJP, and Congress. While the BJP and Congress have targeted Kejriwal over corruption charges and alleged extravagant spending on his official residence, AAP has countered with accusations of misgovernance and lack of development.

The ongoing “Sheesh Mahal” controversy over Kejriwal’s alleged lavish spending on his official residence has also added fuel to the election rhetoric. Both the BJP and Congress have criticized Kejriwal for misusing public funds, an issue likely to influence voter sentiment.

With election day approaching, the triangular contest promises to be a heated battle for control of the capital, with each party vying for public trust amidst the cacophony of allegations and promises.