BJP MP Jagdambika Pal has forecasted that Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, her predecessor Arvind Kejriwal, and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia will lose in the upcoming Delhi elections, with vote counting scheduled for Saturday.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is aiming for a third consecutive term, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is looking to reclaim power after more than two decades. Exit polls released on Wednesday have largely predicted a BJP victory, giving the party an edge over the AAP. However, AAP leaders have pointed out that exit polls have historically underestimated their seat count, expressing confidence that they will secure another term.
Atishi, contesting from the Kalkaji seat, is facing competition from BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri and Congress’s Alka Lamba. Arvind Kejriwal is up against BJP’s Parvesh Verma and Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit. Manish Sisodia is contesting from the Jangpura constituency.
Pal claimed that this election would be a first in Delhi’s history, with a sitting Chief Minister (Atishi), a former Chief Minister (Arvind Kejriwal), and a former Deputy CM (Manish Sisodia) all set to lose. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Pal stated, “Tomorrow (Saturday) is result day… Former CM Arvind Kejriwal, current CM Atishi, and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia are going to lose. I’ve been involved in campaigns for Delhi elections, and Kejriwal has a record of corruption. This will be the first time a former CM, former Deputy CM, and the current CM will lose the elections.”
Pal also dismissed allegations of BJP poaching AAP candidates, accusing the party of making such claims out of frustration. “No one is trying to lure their MLAs. They are only making these accusations because they know they’ve lost,” he added.
The 70-member Delhi Legislative Assembly election took place on February 8. The Congress, which held power in Delhi for 15 years, has faced setbacks in recent elections, failing to secure any seats in the last two assemblies. In the 2020 elections, the AAP dominated with 62 out of 70 seats, while the BJP secured only eight.
