In what would turn out to be a keenly contested battle in the prestigious New Delhi parliamentary constituencies, Congress’ Ajay Maken and BJP candidate Meenakshi lekhi entered the poll fray with filing their nominations on Friday. The battle will also be interesting given the young age of the candidates; all three prominent contenders, including Aashish Khetan of AAP are less than 50 years of age.

On Friday, flanked by scores of their supporters, Maken and lekhi submitted their nomination papers before the Returning Officer at Jamnagar House in New Delhi around noon. While Maken, the two-time sitting MP and a former Union Minister, said he would contest the polls on his development work; his opponent lekhi said she was a ‘challenge’ for Maken. She claimed support of the marginalised sections of the society living in the New Delhi areas.

Maken, the AICC general secretary and Communication Department Chairman, was the first to submit his nomination papers before the Returning Officer around 1 pm. He was accompanied by his mother, wife, two daughters, son and some supporters. lekhi reached Jamnagar House about 45 minutes later driving a white colour open Jeep with senior BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra by her side and some supporters carrying party flags and raising slogans.

Her husband Aman lekhi and son Pranay lekhi, who is handling her social media campaign, also reached the venue. Both the candidates exuded confidence of winning the seat. lekhi is a noted lawyer and socio-political activist and has worked on several important cases being an active member of the BJP. She is the daughter-in-law of eminent lawyer Prem Nath lekhi. She is a vocal supporter of BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi.