The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken a commanding lead in the Delhi Assembly election results, securing early leads in 36 seats, according to trends from the Election Commission. Among the seats where BJP is leading are 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.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is leading in 16 seats, including Chandni Chowk, Rajinder Nagar, Greater Kailash, Trilokpuri, Seemapuri, and Babarpur.
The majority mark required to form the government in Delhi is 36 seats.
In addition to the Delhi Assembly results, vote counting for by-elections in Uttar Pradesh’s Milkipur seat and Tamil Nadu’s Erode seat is also ongoing.
The election, held on February 5, recorded a voter turnout of 60.54%, and security arrangements have been fully implemented at the counting centers.
While the AAP is aiming for a third consecutive term in office, the BJP is determined to break its two-decade-long dry spell and regain power in the capital.
Congress candidate from New Delhi constituency, Sandeep Dikshit, stated on Saturday that he had no knowledge of any potential post-poll alliance between Congress and AAP, emphasizing that such decisions are made by the party high command. “I have no idea about the alliance. It is the decision of the high command. Let the counting of votes happen,” he said.
Despite exit polls showing a lead for BJP, AAP leaders remain confident, claiming that the polls have historically underestimated the party’s performance, and they are optimistic about retaining power.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP campaign focused on issues like alleged pollution in the Yamuna River and the renovation of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence. The Prime Minister also used terms like “Aapda” and “Sheesh Mahal” to criticize the Kejriwal administration.
Meanwhile, AAP has highlighted its achievements, especially in education, during its 11-year tenure. Kejriwal accused the BJP of planning to halt free education if it regains power.
Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, also campaigned in Delhi, targeting Kejriwal and senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia over their alleged involvement in the Delhi excise policy “scam.”
Notable constituencies include New Delhi, where Arvind Kejriwal is contesting against Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit and BJP’s Parvesh Verma, as well as Atishi, Delhi Chief Minister, who is facing BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri and Congress’s Alka Lamba. The campaign saw intense exchanges between the leaders of the three parties.
While Congress ruled Delhi for 15 consecutive years, it has failed to secure any seats in the last two assembly elections. AAP has dominated the previous two elections, but BJP is hoping to reverse the trend and reclaim power after over two decades.
