BBC News, Delhi
Delhi Assembly Election: High Turnout as BJP Aims for Comeback
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The votes are now being counted in India’s bustling capital, Delhi, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is hoping for a come-back after 27 years. The national capital’s political landscape is set to undergo a significant shift, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP aiming to reclaim power from the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Exit Polls and Voter Turnout
Most exit polls following the vote on Wednesday predicted an absolute majority for the BJP, indicating they could secure more than 35 seats in the 70-member legislative assembly. This outcome would mark a significant victory for the party, which has experienced election success in other states such as Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
The Election Commission of India reported that more than 60% of eligible voters participated in the poll, emphasizing the public’s engagement in the democratic process.
Symbolic Importance of Delhi
Winning Delhi is strategically crucial for both the BJP and AAP due to its symbolic importance as the national capital. Delhi, being a federally-administered territory, has been governed by the AAP since 2013, recognized for its strong welfarism record.
However, the AAP has recently been embroiled in corruption allegations, which they have categorically denied. In contrast, the BJP views securing Delhi as a pivotal step towards consolidating its influence in the nation’s heart.
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The Role of Key Politicians
The BJP campaign was bolstered by high-profile endorsements, including appearances by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. These endorsements symbolize the BJP’s commitment to capturing Delhi, which has significant national and symbolic importance.
On the other hand, Arvind Kejriwal, the former chief minister of the AAP, has denied all corruption allegations and has criticized the BJP for what he claims is a political vendetta against his party. Kejriwal was recently released from jail on bail, but his suspension from the chief minister’s office adds another layer of complexity to the political drama.
The Congress Party’s Challenges
The Congress Party, the main opposition at the national level, participated in the election as well. However, polls indicate a bleak outlook for the party, which ruled Delhi from 1998 to 2013 before being replaced by the AAP. Despite the Congress Party’s earlier success, it has struggled to regain voter trust and influence since its ouster.
Candidate Promises and Campaign Focus
Both the BJP and AAP focused their campaigns on welfare promises, mirroring the priorities of Delhi’s voters. Key promises included improvements to public schools, free healthcare services, and cash handouts to women.
The BJP campaign was also enhanced by recent policy measures, such as a federal budget that reduced income tax for salaried middle-class individuals, a demographic that weighs heavily in Delhi’s voter count.
