NEW DELHI: Voting for the Delhi Assembly elections concluded today, with a voter turnout of 57.7% recorded by 5 PM. The Election Commission of India confirmed that all voters in line by the 6 PM deadline were allowed to cast their ballots. The election, framed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as a battle between progress and โgundagardiโ (hooliganism), saw intense campaigning and dramatic scenes, including protests against AAP candidate Manish Sisodia in Jangpura, where crowds chanted โ Chor Haiโ (He is a thief) and raised slogans of Modi-Modo.
AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, cast their votes and appealed to Delhiites to support their vision of development. Kejriwal, accompanied by his elderly parents in wheelchairs, stated, โI voted for every Delhiiteโs progress and a dignified life for the poor. Delhiโs progress must not stop. Gundagardi will lose, Delhi will win.โ Other AAP leaders, such as Manish Sisodia and Atishi, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing their achievements in education, healthcare, and utilities while framing the election as a moral battle against hooliganism and dictatorship.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other opposition parties criticized AAPโs governance, accusing it of corruption and mismanagement. The Congress, however, struggled to gain traction, with predictions from the *Satta Bazaar* (betting market) suggesting it may not win any seats. The same projections indicate a tight contest between AAP and BJP, with both parties expected to secure 32 to 35 seats each, potentially leading to a hung assembly.
As the city awaits the results, scheduled to be announced on February 8, political analysts are closely watching the developments. The outcome could have significant implications for Delhiโs governance, with the possibility of intense negotiations and alliances if no party secures a clear majority. The election has highlighted the deep political polarization in the capital, with voters weighing AAPโs record on public services against the BJPโs counter-narrative of accountability and stronger leadership.
