As the counting of votes for the Delhi Assembly elections commenced at 8 AM on Saturday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Anurag Dhanda shared his perspective on the intense electoral battle, claiming that Arvind Kejriwal was not just contesting against political parties but against an entire system.
Speaking to media, Dhanda remarked, “This time, the fight was not against any one party. Arvind Kejriwal was fighting against the whole system. We were fighting against BJP, Congress, and even the Election Commission.”
He highlighted the ideological divide that shaped the campaign, emphasizing AAP’s commitment to public welfare.
“There are different thought systems. The thought system of Kejriwal ji says that the people’s money should be spent on the people, while the other thought system wants to take the money from the people and spend it on industrialists,” he explained.
Expressing confidence in AAP’s performance, Dhanda added, “We are hopeful as the public has supported the Aam Aadmi Party, and we will form the government with a comfortable majority.”
Tight Security for Vote Counting
Meanwhile, security has been heightened across all counting centers in Delhi. Delhi Police have implemented a four-tier security cordon, with extensive deployment of security personnel and surveillance measures.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Southern Range), Sanjay Kumar Jain, detailed the security arrangements:
“At every counting centre, there are two companies of CAPFs. DSPs, ADSPs, and inspectors are also deployed here. A four-tier security cordon has been maintained. For an aerial view, we are using drones. During victory processions by candidates, police deployment will be reinforced.”
The elections for the 70-member Delhi Assembly were held on February 5, recording a total voter turnout of 60.54%.
AAP vs. BJP: High-Stakes Battle Continues
AAP is aiming for a third consecutive term, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is pushing to reclaim power in the National Capital after more than two decades. Most exit polls released on Wednesday predicted a slight edge for the BJP over AAP, but AAP leaders dismissed these projections, arguing that exit polls have historically underestimated their party’s performance.
BJP’s campaign, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aggressively targeted AAP over alleged issues such as toxicity in the Yamuna River and the controversial renovation of Arvind Kejriwal’s residence. The Prime Minister also used terms like “Aapda” and “Sheesh Mahal” to criticize Kejriwal.
As the results unfold, the political landscape of Delhi hangs in the balance, with both AAP and BJP hopeful for victory.