The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading in two constituencies as the initial trends for the Delhi Assembly elections come in, according to the Election Commission of India.
BJP candidate Om Prakash Sharma has taken an early lead in Vishwas Nagar with a margin of 1,741 votes, while Sanjay Goyal is ahead by 506 votes in Shahdara.
Counting is simultaneously underway for by-elections in Uttar Pradesh’s Milkipur and Tamil Nadu’s Erode constituencies. Security arrangements have been reinforced to ensure smooth counting operations.
Polling for Delhi’s 70-member Assembly was conducted on 5 February, recording a voter turnout of 60.54 per cent.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is seeking a third consecutive term, while the BJP is vying to return to power after more than two decades.
Congress candidate from New Delhi constituency Sandeep Dikshit remarked that he was unaware of any potential post-poll alliance with the AAP.
"I have no idea about the alliance. It is the decision of the high command. Let the counting of the votes happen," he told ANI.
Exit polls released last Wednesday indicated an edge for the BJP over the AAP. However, AAP leaders dismissed these forecasts, expressing confidence in retaining power.
Also read: Delhi Election Results Live: Counting Begins, AAP Stalwarts Trail
The BJP's campaign, spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, heavily criticised the AAP over alleged mismanagement of the Yamuna River and questioned the expenditure on renovating Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence.
Modi's barbs included the terms "Aapda" and "Sheesh Mahal" aimed at Kejriwal.
The AAP, on the other hand, focused on its achievements in education during its eleven-year tenure. Kejriwal alleged that the BJP would halt free education if it returned to power.
Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also campaigned extensively, targeting Kejriwal and senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia for their purported involvement in the Delhi excise policy "scam" case.
Among the key constituencies is New Delhi, where former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is contesting against Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit and the BJP's Parvesh Verma.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi faces BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri and Congress candidate Alka Lamba in a closely watched contest. The campaign has witnessed sharp verbal exchanges among leaders of the three main parties.
The Congress, once a dominant force in Delhi with a 15-year rule, has struggled in the last two assembly elections, failing to secure a single seat.
The AAP has enjoyed electoral dominance in recent years, but the BJP is determined to break this streak and reclaim power in the National Capital.
As the counting progresses, all eyes remain on the final outcome, which could reshape Delhi's political landscape.
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