New Delhi: An estimated 67 per cent turnout was recorded on Saturday in the crucial Delhi assembly polls where BJP and AAP were locked in a battle royale, outcome of which may have ramifications on the national political landscape.
"Around 67 per cent polling was recorded. However, we are still yet to get the final figure as voting continued beyond scheduled deadline of 6 pm," Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer Chandra Bhushan Kumar said.
The assembly election, held for the second time in little over one year, has been largely a direct contest between BJP and a resurgent AAP, which has put up a tough fight under Arvind Kejriwal's leadership.
All the exit polls have predicted a majority for the AAP with one of them giving it as high as 53 seats in the 70-member House.
The elections are being considered significant as a victory for BJP will increase its confidence ahead of assembly polls in Bihar later this year and in West Bengal in 2016 while a defeat may bolster the opposition.
Read: Delhi polls: A do or die battle for Congress stalwarts
The BJP, which is out of power in Delhi for the last 16 years, made a no holds barred effort to win the polls. It is being billed by many as a referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a description rejected by BJP.
My gratitud 2 Delhiites for their support. U r so amazing.U rejcted politics of caste n religion.Hope final results r as per exit polls(2/2)
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 7, 2015The Election Commission said the elections have been largely peaceful and that there was no major glitch in Electronic Voting Machines. 44 EVMs had to replaced.
In 2013 assembly polls, the overall voting percentage was 66, which was an increase of around 9 per cent from 57.58 per cent in 2008.
Kejriwal, who led AAP's spirited campaign, today exuded confidence of getting a clear mandate for his party as he said "truth will triumph" in the polls.
"I am confident that AAP will win the elections and form government in Delhi," he told PTI. His BJP rival Kiran Bedi rejected the exit poll results carried out by various news channels even as she spoke of taking "full responsibility" if her party suffers a loss.
Addressing a press conference, a visibly exhausted Bedi also thanked BJP for reposing "faith" in her wondering what the party "saw in her".
"I am sure the results would change if the surveys take into account voting post 3 pm. They are incomplete as the turn out from 3 pm to 6 pm has not been included. Then the verdict may go in BJP's favour," she said.
The campaign for the poll was marked by bitter political attacks and allegations and counter allegations.
The BJP came out with a Vision Document instead of a manifesto in which the party laid down a roadmap to make Delhi a world-class city. It, however, did not spell out BJP's position on full statehood to the national capital. The AAP in its manifesto promised full statehood for Delhi.
The AAP manifesto was full of pro-people announcements as it promised 50 per cent cut in power tariff, free Wi-Fi across Delhi, installation of 10-15 lakh CCTV cameras for women security, making water a legal right and bringing down the VAT significantly among others.
Read: BJP faces tough challenge from AAP as Delhi votes for Assembly seats
Congress also made an array of promises in its manifesto like significant cut in power rates, Wi-Fi facilities in public transport and ensuring a graft-free administration if voted to power in Delhi.
Thank all Delhiites for having voted in such GOOD Number.Hope to see R Delhi now make positive headlines,collaborative not confrontational..
— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) February 7, 2015The BJP, which is out of power in Delhi for the last 16 years, made a gamble by bringing in former Team Anna member Bedi into the party and made her the party's Chief Ministerial candidate, which is said to have triggered discontent among the party's rank and file.
The BJP strategy has been countered by Kejriwal-led AAP, which has put up a spirited campaign in a bid to stop the Modi juggernaut that has been on a roll ever since the Lok Sabha election victory in May last year.
The Congress, which had ruled Delhi for 15 years till December, 2013, has been projected way behind AAP and BJP in pre-poll surveys. Some opinion polls had given AAP a clear majority while a few have predicted BJP's win.
