NEW DELHI: As campaign for the one of fiercest electoral battles in the city came to an end, Aam Aadmi Party today exuded confidence of getting a "clear majority" and said the verdict of the election could very well turn out to be a "turning point" in Indian politics.
AAP said BJP was nervous about losing the election and that it will be a sort of test of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity as he has led the party's campaign.
"February 10 (verdict day) is going to have a far-reaching impact. It will be a turning point in Indian politics," senior party leader Ashutosh said in a measured tone.
The party, however, refused to answer when asked whether the verdict is also going to decide the party's future, if it is defeated.
"This is not the right moment to deliberate upon a question like this. Let us wait for five more days," said Ashish Khetan. According to political analysts, an AAP victory in Delhi as projected by pre-poll surveys will not only halt BJP's juggernaut but also bolster the opposition to take on the Modi government.
"BJP is rattled sensing an imminent defeat," Kejriwal said.
AAP Spokesperson Raghav Chadha said the election verdict will be a kind of test of Modi's popularity. He added that comments made by BJP President Amit Shah that the verdict will not be a referendum on Modi government reflected that BJP has conceded defeat.
After months of ceaseless promises, rhetoric, allegations and counter-allegations, in what was easily one of the most bitterly-fought electoral battles that Delhi has witnessed, the party stands confident of making history after facing a ignominious debacle in the Lok Sabha elections.
"The Lok Sabha defeat made us realise that a largely offensive campaigning was not working. We had to be more constructive. We had to offer something positive to the public," a senior party leader said.