The BJP’s resurgence in Delhi was driven by a meticulously planned electoral strategy launched 18 months before the vote. The party capitalised on public discontent, making corruption allegations against AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, a central theme. It also targeted governance failures, highlighting issues like pollution in the Yamuna River and the liquor policy controversy.
After 25 years out of power, BJP strategists studied voter concerns and positioned themselves as the alternative. The RSS, which played a key role in BJP’s successes in Haryana and Maharashtra, was instrumental in mobilizing support, helping the party dismantle AAP’s stronghold.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said the party succeeded in creating an atmosphere against the AAP government in Delhi but the public did not give it the mandate to rule the city.
Accepting the public opinion, Kharge said the Congress will continue to raise the issues of pollution, Yamuna cleaning, electricity, roads, water and development in Delhi, and remain connected with the public.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed the party workers at BJP headquarters after a thumping victory in the Delhi Assembly elections.
Thanking the people of Delhi for giving the party an "opportunity to serve," Modi said the national capital have chosen the politics of "fulfilment" against that of "appeasement."
Slamming the AAP, which suffered a tragic loss in the elections, PM Modi said the 'party (AAP) that was born out of anti-corruption agitation turned out to be the most corrupt'.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said he humbly accepts the mandate of Delhi as he thanked party workers and voters.
In a post on X, he said the fight for the progress of Delhi and against pollution, price rise and corruption will continue.
Addressing the party workers after a sweeping win in the Delhi Assembly elections, Union Minister and BJP chief JP Nadda said the politics of India has changed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM, which contested only two seats in the Delhi Assembly elections -- Okhla and Mustafabad -- managed to make its presence felt, with both of its candidates emerging as second runners-up.
Both Shifa Ur Rehman Khan and Tahir Hussain, accused in the 2020 Delhi riots and currently in jail, cut into the BJP and AAP's vote share and performed better than Congress, which was relegated to fourth place.
The Delhi Assembly polls saw a division of Muslim votes but despite that the AAP managed to win six out of the seven seats which have a substantial population of the community.
A total of four Muslim candidates made it to the Delhi Assembly, down from five last time.
The four winning Muslim candidates are Imran Hussain (AAP) from Ballimaran, Aaley Mohammed Iqbal (AAP) from Matia Mahal, Amanatullah Khan (AAP) from Okhla and Chaudhary Zubair Ahmad (AAP) from Seelampur.
Congress was decimated in the Delhi elections, failing to open its account for the third consecutive time. Despite key defeats, the party saw a small rise in its vote share, increasing from 4.3% in 2020 to 6.39%.
Congress candidates, including heavyweights like Devender Yadav and Alka Lamba, faced crushing defeats, and only three managed to save their deposits. While Congress made minor gains at AAP's expense in some segments, it couldn’t stop the BJP's dominance.
Despite the loss, leaders like Jairam Ramesh remain optimistic, claiming Congress will form a government in Delhi by 2030. The party remains determined to rebuild and strengthen its presence, especially with an eye on Punjab in 2027. (Read more)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed happiness over the BJP's victory in the Delhi assembly polls, and said the people of the national capital showed they will not tolerate "politics of falsehood" any more.
He also dubbed former Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal an "icon of corruption".
Fadnavis said, "I am happy that after a gap of 27 years, the BJP has been re-elected in Delhi.People of Delhi proved that they won't tolerate politics of falsehood. They voted for the BJP by keeping faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modiji's vision."
"Arvind Kejriwal is an icon of corruption, but people in Delhi decided to support Modiji. Even Marathi people residing in Delhi voted for Modiji," he said.
He also expressed confidence that the "ek hain toh safe hain" (united we are together) slogan would work throughout the country in future.
"It has already been witnessed in Maharashtra, Haryana and now in Delhi and this will continue to work," the CM added. (Read more)
Kirari (9): Anil Jha
Sultanpur Majra (10): Mukesh Kumar Ahlawat
Sadar Bazar (19): Som Dutt
Chandni Chowk (20): Punardeep Singh Sawhney (Sabby)
Matia Mahal (21): Aaley Mohammed Iqbal
Ballimaran (22): Imran Hussain
Karol Bagh (23): Vishesh Ravi
Patel Nagar (24): Pravesh Ratn
Tilak Nagar (29): Jarnail Singh
Delhi Cantt (38): Virender Singh Kadian
Deoli (47): Prem Chauhan
Ambedkar Nagar (48): Dr. Ajay Dutt
Kalkaji (51): Atishi
Tughlakabad (52): Sahi Ram
Kondli (56): Kuldeep Kumar (Monu)
Seelampur (65): Chaudhary Zubair Ahmad
Babarpur (67): Gopal Rai
As per Election Commission data at 4 pm, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won 39 seats and is leading in 9 others, taking its total to 48. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has secured 17 seats and is ahead in 5, with a total of 22.
BJP – Wins: 39 | Leading: 9 | Total: 48
AAP – Wins: 17 | Leading: 5 | Total: 22
Delhi Secretariat, the seat of the city government, was sealed to ensure the safety of official files, documents and computers, with assembly poll results showing a regime change on Saturday, officials said.
On the instruction of Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, the General Administration Department (GAD) of Delhi government has issued an order directing all the departments, agencies, and camp offices of the council of ministers not to remove any records or files without the prior permission from the department.
The GAD order issued to various department heads and in-charges said that no files, documents, computer hardware etc. can be taken outside the Delhi Secretariat complex without the department's prior permission.
"It is therefore directed that necessary instructions may be issued to the branch in-charges under the departments and offices situated in Delhi Secretariat to ensure the safety of records, files, documents, electronic files etc. under their sections and branches," the order said.
As the BJP looks all set to form a government in Delhi, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday credited the party's performance in the assembly polls to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guarantees, and said "falsehood" has been defeated.
In a post on X, Shinde, the chief leader of the ruling Shiv Sena, said after Maharashtra, voters in Delhi have also reposed their faith in the BJP's leadership.
Targeting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the former CM said impediments in Delhi's development have been cleared.
He said voters also taught the Arvind Kejriwal-led party a lesson which made false claims that the Constitution was in danger.
"This is the magic of PM Modi's guarantees," Shinde said, adding, "Falsehood has been defeated and the voters have stood by truth." The deputy CM said the voters have also given their verdict on the Union Budget presented last week by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Shinde had last week claimed that sitting AAP MLAs were in touch with Shiv Sena for the Delhi polls, but they were not fielded in order to avoid division of votes since his party has announced support to the BJP.
Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia termed the outcome of the Delhi assembly polls as "AAP-da ki Vidai" or farewell of disaster.
Scindia's remarks come amid the latest Election Commission (EC) trends showing the BJP ahead in 43 of Delhi's 70 seats and the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP in 16.
"Delhi me AAP-da ki Vidai" (Delhi bids farewell to AAP-Da or aapda, which means disaster)," the Guna MP tweeted on X.
Earlier, Scindia told reporters that his assessment of the BJP's victory in the Delhi assembly elections proved correct.
In the wake of the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) electoral defeat in Delhi, Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal took to social media to critique the party's leadership. She shared an image depicting Draupadi's disrobing from the Mahabharata.
Maliwal had said "arrogance" led to the party's downfall.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the BJP’s victory in the Delhi Vidhan Sabha elections, calling it a "resounding and historic mandate." Expressing gratitude to the people of Delhi, he said, "I bow to my dear sisters and brothers of Delhi for this mandate. We are humbled and honoured to receive these blessings."
Emphasising the party’s commitment to development and good governance, Modi asserted, "It is our guarantee that we will leave no stone unturned in developing Delhi, improving the overall quality of life for the people, and ensuring that Delhi has a prime role to play in building a Viksit Bharat." (Read more)
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh termed the 2025 Delhi Vidhan Sabha election results a referendum on Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party, stating that the vote was a rejection of Kejriwal’s "politics of deceit and exaggerated claims." He credited the Congress for exposing scams under Kejriwal’s rule and said voters had delivered their verdict on 12 years of misgovernance.
While acknowledging that the Congress had expected a better performance, Ramesh noted that the party had increased its vote share and ran a vigorous campaign. Emphasising the party’s continued presence in Delhi, he asserted that with sustained efforts, the Congress would return to power in the capital in 2030.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accepted the election mandate with humility, saying, "We accept the mandate of the people with great humility." Congratulating the BJP on its victory, he added, "I hope they will fulfil all the promises for which people have voted them."
Highlighting AAP's contributions over the past decade, Kejriwal stated, "We have done a lot of work in the field of health, education, and infrastructure in the last 10 years." He assured that his party would remain engaged with the people, saying, "We will not only play the role of a constructive opposition but will also remain among the people and continue to serve them."
Reacting to the Delhi election results, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said it was evident from meetings that people wanted change and voted accordingly. Congratulating the winners, she added that for the rest, it was a reminder to work harder and be more responsive to people's issues.
Educated women in Delhi had expressing scepticism about the implementation of freebies promised by the AAP, BJP and Congress.
While these promises, such as free bus rides and free electricity up to 200 units, have gained traction in slum areas, many women remain cautious about their practicality and long-term effectiveness. Some women voters called for a focus on real issues, such as the provision of basic amenities, rather than large promises in election manifestos.
With the BJP set to emerge victorious in the Delhi assembly election, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took a jibe at opposition INDIA bloc members Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party.
Abdullah, a senior leader of the National Conference, which is also part of the INDIA bloc, took to X as early trending counting trends indicated a loss for both the ruling AAP and Congress.
Sharing a popular meme, he captioned the post, "Aur lado aapas mein!!! (Fight amongst yourselves some more)."
AAP’s middle-class support in Delhi, once its backbone, appears to have eroded. The party’s anti-corruption stance and welfare promises once resonated, but corruption allegations, worsening traffic and air quality, and a lack of fresh ideas have dented its appeal.
Once seen as a disruptor, AAP struggled to retain its credibility among urban voters seeking governance over rhetoric. As frustrations grew, the BJP capitalized, shifting this crucial bloc in its favor.
With AAP leaders facing legal troubles and governance concerns mounting, Delhi’s middle class—once its strongest ally—seems to have moved on, reshaping the city’s political landscape.
As the BJP is poised to form a government in Delhi, 'activist' Anna Hazare on Saturday said the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP "drowned" due to the liquor policy and its focus on money, failing to understand its duty to serve people selflessly.
"With the liquor policy issue came the money and they drowned in it. The (AAP's) image was tarnished. People saw he (Arvind Kejriwal) talks about clean character and then about liquor," Hazare, who led the anti-corruption movement in 2011, told reporters.
Kejriwal is known to be Hazare's protege but the two parted ways after the former formed the AAP in 2012.
"AAP lost as it failed to understand the need to serve people selflessly and took the wrong path. Money took the front seat which dented AAP's image, leading to its defeat," Hazare said.
The Election Commission declared that AAP's Virender Singh Kadian won the Delhi Cantt seat by a margin of 2,029 votes. The BJP's Rekha Gupta won the Shalimar Bagh seat, defeating her AAP rival by 29,595 votes.
AAP's Kuldeep Kumar won the Kondli seat by 6,293 votes, while BJP's Manjinder Singh Sirsa secured Rajouri Garden by 18,190 votes.
The BJP is poised to form a government in Delhi after more than 26 years, with trends showing the saffron party ahead in 47 of the 70 assembly seats and AAP in 23. The Congress, on the other hand, is poised to draw a blank for the third consecutive assembly polls.
Outgoing Delhi CM Atishi retained the Kalkaji seat, defeating BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri and Congress’ Alka Lamba, even as AAP heavyweights fell across the capital.
AAP leader and former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia conceded defeat from his constituency Jangpura and expressed hope that the BJP would work for the welfare of the people in the area.
"I extend my congratulations to the winning candidate and hope they will focus on the progress and welfare of the people of Jangpura," he told reporters.
After nine rounds of counting, Sisodia was trailing by 572 votes.
AAP chief and three-time Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal lost his New Delhi seat to BJP’s Parvesh Verma, ending his decade-long hold. The defeat comes as BJP moves to oust AAP from power in the capital.
Kejriwal had famously triumphed over Congress' Sheila Dikshit in 2013, marking the beginning of AAP’s decade-long dominance in the capital. However, in this election, he was unable to retain his seat, signaling a dramatic shift in voter sentiment.
Meanwhile, Kejriwal’s former deputy Manish Sisodia lost to BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah in Jangpura after shifting from his traditional Patparganj seat this year. In the 2020 election, Sisodia’s margin of victory from Patpargaj was less than 4,000 votes.
Similarly, other key AAP leaders are still locked in tight contests in various constituencies, with the outcome hanging in the balance.
As trends indicate the BJP regaining power in the capital after 27 years, TNIE’s Jayanth Jacob and Prabath Shukla analyse the key factors that shaped the election.
New Delhi: AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal trails BJP’s Parvesh Verma
Kalkaji: BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri ahead of AAP’s Atishi
Jangpura: AAP’s Manish Sisodia leads BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah
Greater Kailash: BJP’s Shikha Rai leads AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj
Rajouri Garden: BJP’s Manjinder Singh Sirsa leads AAP’s Dhanwati Chandela
Shakur Basti: AAP’s Satyendar Jain trails BJP’s Karnail Singh
Rohini: BJP’s Vijender Gupta leads AAP’s Pradeep Mittal
Malviya Nagar: AAP’s Somnath Bharti trails BJP’s Satish Upadhyay
Okhla: AAP’s Amanatullah Khan leads BJP’s Manish Chaudhary
Babarpur: AAP’s Gopal Rai ahead of BJP’s Anil Kumar Vashisht
**Latest trends according to EC (around 11:40 am)
Delhi’s electorate stands at over 1.56 crore, with 52,554 first-time voters aged 18 to 19. While many had acknowledged the government's progress, their priorities center around better job opportunities, improved infrastructure, and stronger safety measures.
BJP supporters erupted in celebration outside its Delhi headquarters as the latest counting trends showed the saffron party returning to power in the national capital after more than 26 years with a decisive mandate.
Supporters danced to the beats of 'dhol' and waved party flags, creating a festive atmosphere. Holding up cutouts of a lotus, the BJP's election symbol, they also smeared each other with saffron-coloured powder.
The BJP was leading in 43 of Delhi's 70 assembly seats while AAP was ahead in 27, according to the latest trends released by the Election Commission.
BJP’s Parvesh Verma leads AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal by a small marigin 225 votes in New Delhi, where Kejriwal is seeking a fourth term.
The initial rounds saw Verma take the lead before Kejriwal briefly surged ahead. Verma has now regained the advantage, as AAP faces its first electoral defeat in 12 years.
All eyes are on this seesaw battle, which could go down to the wire.
The middle-class vote is primarily shaped by civic amenities and economic concerns rather than caste-based factors. While the AAP maintains support from those benefiting directly from its welfare schemes, a segment of the upper middle class is becoming increasingly disillusioned.
South Delhi, home to a significant number of affluent and middle-class families, has voiced dissatisfaction over civic issues. This discontent highlights a shift in voter priorities, with expectations for better governance and service delivery taking center stage.
Chief Minister Atishi was trailing BJP rival Ramesh Bidhuri by 1,149 votes from Kalkaji seat at the end of the first round of counting for the Delhi Assembly polls, the Election Commission website showed.
Bidhuri said the AAP would be "eliminated" from Delhi.
"The people will give the BJP a decisive mandate. Under PM Narendra Modi's leadership, Delhi will progress along with the rest of the country. I can confidently say that the AAP will be eliminated from the national capital," he said.
The voters in Kalkaji have prioritised development and will support the BJP, he said.
Asked if he would be the BJP's chief ministerial candidate, Bidhuri said, "It does not matter at all. I have been MLA three times and MP two times, positions do not matter to us."
The BJP led in 43 of Delhi’s 70 assembly seats, while AAP was ahead in 27, according to early trends from the Election Commission.
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal led by 343 votes in New Delhi, but his former deputy Manish Sisodia trailed by 1,314 votes in Jagpura. Chief Minister Atishi also was behind BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri by 1,149 votes in Kalkaji.
In Mustafabad, BJP’s Mohan Singh Bisht led by 16,181 votes, while AAP’s Amanatullah Khan trailed BJP’s Manish Chaudhary by 2,260 votes in Okhla.
AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj was behind by 459 votes in Greater Kailash, while Gopal Rai led by 8,995 in Babarpur.
BJP’s Kapil Mishra led Karawal Nagar by 8,603 votes, while the party’s candidates were also ahead in Shahdara, Sangam Vihar, Kirari, and Chhatarpur. The saffron party also maintained leads in Rajinder Nagar, Trilokpuri, and Seemapuri.
The next Delhi chief minister will be from the BJP but the central leadership will decide on who it will be, the party's Delhi president Virendra Sachdeva said on Saturday as votes were counted for the assembly elections held earlier this week.
The BJP has been leading in 42 seats and the AAP in 28, according to early trends. "The results so far are in line with our expectations but we will wait for the final outcome," Sachdeva told reporters after offering prayers at the Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place.
Asserting that the BJP would form a "double-engine government" in Delhi, he said, "We have no hesitation in saying that this win is a result of PM Modi's vision. We will ensure that Delhi gets a strong and stable government."
The run-up to this election has become a battle of populist promises, with a strong focus on wooing Delhi's female voters.
The AAP, which built its appeal on free electricity, water, and women’s bus rides, has offered Rs 2,100 monthly and free healthcare for the elderly.
In response, the BJP, despite previous criticisms of "freebie politics," promises direct cash benefits for women, subsidised LPG cylinders, and enhanced pensions.
The Congress also focussed on women and youth, promising relief in metro fares, scholarships, and apprenticeship programs as threee parties veered towards economic populism, a strategy proving to be the golden lever in electoral politics.
With women making up 46% of Delhi’s 1.5 crore voters, their vote has become pivotal in determining the election's outcome.
The BJP is leading in Kirari, Tri Nagar, Sangam Vihar, Vishvas Nagar, Shahdara, Chattarpur, Bawana, and Karawal Nagar, among others.
The AAP is currently ahead in Greater Kailash, Trilokpuri, Seemapuri, Rajender Nagar, and Babarpur, while the Congress is leading in Badli.
BJP’s Parvesh Verma is leading AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal by 74 votes in New Delhi. Similarly, BJP leader Kapil Mishra leads in Karawal Nagar by 3,109 votes against AAP’s Manoj Kumar Tyagi.
In Ballimaran, BJP’s Kamal Bagri has taken an early lead of 214 votes over AAP leader and Delhi Cabinet Minister Imran Hussain. In Rajouri Garden, BJP’s Manjinder Singh Sirsa is ahead by 2,125 votes.
AAP’s Gopal Rai and Saurabh Bharadwaj are the only senior party leaders currently leading, from Babarpur and Greater Kailash, respectively. In Chandni Chowk, AAP’s Punardeep Singh Sawhney is ahead by 2,970 votes.
The BJP has banked on its targeted outreach to Dalit voters, hoping to improve its performance in the city’s Dalit-dominated constituencies.
The party has struggled in the 12 SC reserved constituencies, failing to secure any in the 2015 and 2020 polls. Dalit voters, who make up 17-45% in these areas, could be crucial to shifting the BJP’s fortunes.
Despite past setbacks, the party is optimistic that its sustained efforts will lead to a stronger showing this time.
As counting of votes for the assembly polls began in Delhi on Saturday, candidates cutting across party lines visited shrines in the national capital to offer prayers and seek blessings.
The BJP's New Delhi candidate Parvesh Verma visited a Hanuman temple to seek blessings. "'Aaj sarkar banegi (Our government will be formed today)' ...Exit polls are indicating the same. I prayed to Hanuman ji for a good government in Delhi so that we can work in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision," he told reporters.
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP's Kalkaji candidate Atishi described the elections as "a battle between good and evil, work and hooliganism." She expressed confidence that the people of Delhi would stand with AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal's governance model.
Alka Lamba, the Congress' Kalkaji candidate, visited a Kali temple and sought blessings. "I had 'darshan' of Goddess Kali. My only aim is to serve the people. The party worked very hard and we contested the elections for the people and their issues. Whatever decision the people of Delhi take, we will accept it," she said.
Former chief minister Sheila Dikshit's daughter Latika Dikshit, whose brother Sandeep Dikshit contested the elections from the New Delhi seat on a Congress ticket, expressed hope for the party's victory.
Praising her brother, she said, "He ran a clean campaign, going door-to-door and engaging with the people. That is how elections should be contested."
The BJP was leading in 40 seats while AAP was ahead in 29 and the Congress one, according to the latest trends run by TV channels.
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, who is pitted against the BJP's Parvesh Verma in the New Delhi seat, was trailing.
In the Kalkaji seat, Chief Minister Atishi was trailing the BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri.
Former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was also trailing in Jangpura.
The BJP's Karawal Nagar candidate Kapil Mishra was leading while AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj was ahead in the Greater Kailash seat.
The results will reveal if AAP's political dominance in Delhi remains intact or is dented enough by the BJP for the saffron party to return to power for the first time since 1998.
For the AAP and the BJP, all roads to Delhi go via Purvanchal.
Purvanchali voters, a key voter bloc in the national capital, have been pivotal in recent elections, favouring the incumbent party in 2015 and 2020. However, this time, their support is split between AAP and BJP, with voters closely evaluating party performance.
The Purvanchali community, predominantly from Bihar, Eastern UP, and Jharkhand, constitutes around 25% of the 40 lakh-strong electorate. This demographic holds sway in 25-27 constituencies, including 12 where they are the majority.
Amid fierce competition, the AAP, BJP, and Congress have all targeted this crucial group, with many parties fielding Purvanchali candidates to secure their votes. Such is their impact that the Congress even promised a dedicated ministry for Purvanchalis if they secure power.
Voter turnout in Wednesday’s elections dropped to 60.54%, the lowest since 2008, and down from 62.6% in 2020.
Early data reveals higher Dalit participation in AAP strongholds, while BJP-leaning areas saw a more mixed turnout, particularly among upper-caste voters. The crucial Purvanchali vote appears divided this time. Historically, lower-income voters tend to support AAP, but the BJP's effective mobilization of middle- and upper-class voters could balance the scales.
Thirty minutes into the counting of votes for Delhi’s 70 assembly seats, early trends indicate a close contest between the AAP and BJP. With leads available for 67 seats, the BJP is ahead in 32, AAP in 31, while Congress, which failed to win a single seat in the last two elections, leads in four.
BJP: 32; AAP: 31; INC: 4
Smaller political parties are positioning themselves to disrupt Delhi's power dynamics, challenging AAP, BJP, and Congress.
The BSP and AIMIM are contesting in multiple constituencies, while the newly formed Bharatiya Liberal Party (BLP), led by Munish Kumar Raizada—formerly part of the Anna Hazare-led anti-corruption movement—has also entered the race. How will these smaller parties impact the race?
Counting of votes for Delhi's 70 assembly constituencies began at 8am amid tight security.
The fate of the ruling AAP, the BJP, and Congress will be decided in the next few hours, as the Kejriwal-led party eyes a hat-trick while the BJP seeks to reclaim power after 27 years. For Congress, once dominant in Delhi, the goal will be to regain lost ground after wipeouts in 2015 and 2020.
Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer Alice Vaz said 5,000 personnel, including counting supervisors and assistants, micro-observers, and support staff trained for the process, had been deployed for the exercise.
According to the Conduct of Election Rules, postal ballots will be counted first and the process of counting of votes recorded in electronic voting machines (EVMs) begin 30 minutes later. After that, counting of votes cast through postal ballots and EVMs will continue simultaneously.
Kalkaji is another a high-profile contest, with Delhi's incumbent Chief Minister Atishi facing former South Delhi MP Ramesh Bidhuri of the BJP and Congress leader Alka Lamba, who joined AAP in 2014, returned to the grand old party in 2019.
Atishi is seeking a second term from Kalkaji after first winning the seat in 2020. Bidhuri, a firebrand known for his controversial hate speeches, seeks a fourth term as an MLA, having previously won from the Tughlakabad Assembly constituency in 2003, 2008, and 2013. Meanwhile, Lamba is eyeing a second stint as an MLA, having won the Chandni Chowk seat in 2015 as an AAP candidate.
Atishi (AAP) vs Ramesh Bidhuri (BJP) vs Alka Lamba (INC)
Manish Sisodia, former Deputy Chief Minister and Arvind Kejriwal's No. 2, moved to contest from Jangpura after winning Patparganj thrice in 2013, 2015, and 2020. He faces BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah, a three-time MLA from Jangpura, who previously represented the constituency as a Congress member in 1998, 2003, and 2008, and Congress veteran Farhad Suri, a former Delhi Mayor.
Sisodia's shift to Jangpura is seen as a strategic political move amid rising anti-incumbency sentiment, the fallout from his 17-month imprisonment in the liqour policy case, and ongoing legal troubles.
The BJP, however, has branded Sisodia a "fugitive", claiming the seat change reflects internal turmoil within AAP ahead of the polls. The Congress, meanwhile, alleged that Sisodia’s move was prompted by his inability to effectively address the constituency’s issues.
Looking at the numbers, Sisodia’s decision to step aside seems rooted in electoral realities. READ FULL STORY HERE
Manish Sisodia (AAP) vs Tarvinder Singh Marwah (BJP) vs Farhad Suri (INC)
Battle for New Delhi seat: Can Kejriwal defend his throne?
One of the most closely watched contests in the upcoming elections will be the New Delhi constituency, where former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is seeking re-election. The seat has the highest number of candidates this time, with 23 contenders.
The AAP national convenor is bidding for a fourth term as an MLA and faces a stiff challenge from former BJP MP Parvesh Verma and Congress’ Sandeep Dikshit, son of former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
Kejriwal first won the New Delhi seat in 2013, defeating Dikshit, the union territory's longest-serving CM. He retained the seat in 2015 and 2020, securing victories over the BJP’s Nupur Sharma and Sunil Kumar Yadav, respectively.
Arvind Kejriwal (AAP) vs Parvesh Verma (BJP) vs Sandeep Dikshit (INC)
A decade in power has brought both triumphs and trials for the AAP. Initially praised for governance reforms and welfare schemes, Delhi's ruling party now faces anti-incumbency and corruption allegations, with the odds stacked against them.
Once fueled by its anti-corruption stance, the Delhi liquor scam allegations and Kejriwal’s 'Sheesh Mahal' residence now threaten his 'simple' image. Despite these setbacks, the AAP is aggressively pushing forward with its campaign, mirroring the BJP’s booth management strategy.
However, the real question remains: Can the party retain Aam Aadmi's trust and survive this challenge?
On Friday, AAP claimed to have devised a strategy to thwart the BJP's alleged ‘Operation Lotus’ after it had accused the saffron party of attempting to bribe over a dozen of its MLA candidates with Rs 15 crore each and ministerial positions in exchange for defection.
In response, Arvind Kejriwal held a crucial meeting with all 70 party candidates, assuring them of the party’s readiness to form the government in Delhi. He urged them to stay focused, maintaining the same determination they had shown throughout the campaign, while preparing for the vote-counting process.
Corruption, infrastructure, law and order, and rising pollution in the national capital have been central to the political slugfest between AAP, BJP, and Congress in the run-up to this election.
AAP faced relentless scrutiny under over allegations of corruption, with its leadership entangled in legal battles. BJP accused the ruling party of suppressing a CAG report that allegedly exposes financial irregularities, vowing to release it if elected. AAP dismissed BJP’s claims, pointing to corruption in BJP-ruled states. Congress, too, took aim at AAP, arguing that its promise of clean governance has been shattered.
Delhi’s infrastructure woes—uneven roads, a stagnant bus fleet, and soaring metro fares—remain a pressing concern. AAP has defended its track record, promising expanded welfare schemes, including free medical treatment for seniors and subsidies for auto drivers. BJP has pledged affordable LPG, pucca houses for slum dwellers, and expanded pensions, while Congress is attempting to outdo both, promising free electricity up to 300 units and job apprenticeships for unemployed youth.
With over 150 days of poor air quality in 2024, pollution remains the most critical issue. AAP highlighted its EV policies and smog towers, but BJP and Congress argued that the ruling party has failed to curb toxic air, which continues to put millions of lives at risk, year on year.
With crime and traffic chaos mounting, AAP blamed the Centre-controlled Delhi Police for rising lawlessness, demanding full statehood. BJP has promised stronger policing with 24/7 patrol units and CCTV networks. Congress has slammed both parties, calling Delhi a “hub of crime” and accusing authorities of inaction.
The counting of votes for Delhi's assembly election is underway, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress vying for control of the 70-seat legislature. Voter turnout for Wednesday's election was 60.54%, according to the Election Commission.
The AAP, in power since 2013, seeks a fourth consecutive term, while the BJP, which last won the capital in 1993, is eager to end a 27-year drought.
Congress, once dominant in Delhi from 1998 to 2013, aims to recover from a series of defeats after failing to secure any seats in the last two elections.
Exit polls favour the BJP, presenting a major challenge for AAP, which is fighting not only anti-incumbency but also its political survival.
AAP's rise has been rooted in its anti-corruption movement, with Arvind Kejriwal, its convener and chief ministerial candidate, looking to cement his legacy with a fourth term. The party has rejected the exit poll predictions, asserting that it will retain power under Kejriwal’s leadership.
AAP's 2015 landslide victory, where it secured 67 of the 70 seats, and its 2020 triumph with 62 seats, has solidified its dominance in Delhi. A victory tomorrow would further elevate Kejriwal’s national political stature.
Should the BJP emerge victorious, it would not only reclaim Delhi after nearly three decades but also break AAP's stronghold on the city, marking a significant political shift.