Delhi Showdown: BJP Assured, AAP Unyielding Ahead of Election Results

New Delhi, Feb 7 (NationPress) As the countdown to the declaration of Delhi Assembly election results approaches, a scene of intense political maneuvering and rhetoric unfolds. Both the BJP and the AAP project optimism regarding their chances of forming the upcoming government, while the AAP raises accusations of attempts to lure away its candidates.

Although various exit polls indicate a decisive majority for the BJP in the 70-seat Assembly, the AAP remains skeptical. National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal pointed to alleged efforts to entice his party's candidates, suggesting that such actions indicate the BJP may struggle to reach the majority threshold of 36 seats.

Political observers are keenly awaiting the results, which will serve as a barometer for the electoral appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejriwal.

A win for the BJP would signify the end of its 27-year hiatus from political power in Delhi, while a setback for the AAP could jeopardize its three-term winning streak and trigger a critical phase for a party that rose to prominence from the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare in 2011.

While both the BJP and the AAP assert they will secure a definitive majority, the Congress is optimistic about breaking its streak of dismal performances in the Assembly, hoping to win at least one seat after failing to secure any in the last two elections. Currently, the AAP holds 62 seats, and the BJP has 8 in the outgoing Assembly.

Vote counting is scheduled to commence on Saturday at 8 a.m. across 11 counting centers, with each center managing EVMs from five to eight Assembly segments, according to a Delhi election official.

The entire counting process is expected to conclude by noon, with EVMs securely stored in 70 strongrooms under rigorous three-tier security and continuous CCTV surveillance since voting occurred on February 5.

The outcomes for former CM Kejriwal and his opponents, Parvesh Verma from the BJP and Sandeep Dikshit from the Congress, will be determined at the Gole Market counting center for the New Delhi constituency.

Votes for Chief Minister Atishi's Kalkaji seat and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia's Jangpura constituency will be tallied at Maharani Bagh.

On the eve of the counting, the AAP continued its offensive against the BJP, alleging attempts to lure away its candidates. The BJP has denied these allegations, and General Secretary Vishnu Mittal has contacted L-G V.K. Saxena to request a formal inquiry and the filing of an FIR against AAP leaders.

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal held a meeting with all AAP legislators at his home, described by the party as an effort to maintain party unity in light of the alleged poaching attempts.

Shortly after the BJP lodged its complaint with the L-G, operatives from the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) sought to meet with Kejriwal at his residence but were denied entry.

According to the ACB, they were looking for a list of 16 AAP candidates who reportedly received bribes to switch parties, along with the phone numbers associated with these offers.

Allegations surrounding the purported attempts by the BJP to poach AAP candidates persisted on Friday, with AAP candidates testifying that they had received calls from BJP officials.

Vinay Mishra, AAP candidate from Dwarka, reported that an individual claiming to represent the 'Gaali Galoch Party' approached him on Thursday, offering ₹15 crore to defect before the results were announced on Saturday.

He rejected the proposal and reaffirmed his loyalty to Arvind Kejriwal.

Additionally, Kejriwal has continued to criticize the Election Commission for alleged oversights, asserting that the commission has failed to publish Form 17C and the vote counts per booth online—a claim that officials have refuted.

The ECI stated that they adhered to all regulations and were not obligated to upload the information on any platform, as documents were provided to polling agents.

In a response, R. Alice Vaz, the Delhi CEO, clarified via social media that, according to Rule 49S of the Conduct of Election Rules 1961, all presiding officers had duly recorded the vote counts in Form 17C for polling agents present during the election on February 5, 2025. Compliance was maintained at all polling stations.

On Thursday, the CEO reviewed election documents, including Form 17C from all 70 constituencies, announcing that, given no complaints from candidates, there was no necessity for a re-election in any seat.

The majority required in the 70-member Assembly is 36 seats.

In 2020, the AAP achieved victory in 62 out of 70 seats, while the BJP secured eight.

In 2015, the AAP won 67 seats, garnering 54.6% of the vote share.

In the Lok Sabha elections held in May, the BJP captured 54% of the vote share across all 70 Assembly segments. The Congress outperformed the AAP, receiving 24% of the vote share compared to the AAP's 19%.

The voter turnout for the February 5 Delhi Assembly election was 60.42%.

In comparison, the turnout for the 2020 Delhi Assembly election was 62.82%, a drop of 4.65% from 67.47% in 2015.