The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has gained a significant lead in the Delhi Assembly election results, securing an advantage in 36 seats, according to early trends reported by the Election Commission.
BJP is currently leading in constituencies including Narela, Rithala, Bawana, Kirari, Shalimar Bagh, Tri Nagar, Ballimaran, Madipur, Rajouri Garden, Hari Nagar, Dwarka, Matiala, Najafgarh, Palam, Delhi Cantt, Kasturba Nagar, RK Puram, Chhatarpur, Sangam Vihar, Vishwas Nagar, Shahdara, Ghonda, Mustafabad, and Karawal Nagar.
Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has gained the lead on 16 seats, including Chandni Chowk, Rajinder Nagar, Greater Kailash, Trilokpuri, Seemapuri, and Babarpur.
The majority mark to form the government in the national capital is 36 seats.
Simultaneously, counting for the by-elections in Uttar Pradesh’s Milkipur seat and Tamil Nadu’s Erode seat is also underway. Security arrangements have been fully implemented. The polling for the 70-member Assembly took place on February 5, with a recorded voter turnout of 60.54%.
AAP is seeking a third consecutive term, while BJP is striving to reclaim power in Delhi after more than two decades.
Congress candidate from New Delhi, Sandeep Dikshit, stated on Saturday that he is unaware of any post-poll alliance between his party and AAP, as the decision lies with the high command. Speaking to media, Dikshit said, “I have no idea about the alliance. It is the decision of the high command. Let the counting of the votes happen.”
Most exit polls released earlier predicted an advantage for the BJP over AAP. However, AAP leaders dismissed these projections, stating that exit polls have historically underestimated their performance. They remain confident in returning to power.
The BJP’s campaign, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focused on allegations against AAP, including the condition of the Yamuna River and the renovation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence. Modi used the terms “Aapda” and “Sheesh Mahal” to criticize Kejriwal.
In contrast, AAP emphasized its “performance” in the education sector during its eleven-year tenure. Kejriwal claimed that BJP would “stop free education” if it came to power.
Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also campaigned against AAP, targeting Kejriwal and senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia over their alleged involvement in the Delhi excise policy “scam” case.
Key constituencies in this election include New Delhi, where AAP leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is contesting against Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit and BJP’s Parvesh Verma. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi is facing BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri and Congress candidate Alka Lamba. The election campaign witnessed intense exchanges between leaders of all three parties.