NEW DELHI: Voters in New Delhi began voting on Saturday in a state election seen as a test of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity following months of deadly anti-government protests over a new citizenship law.
The election comes as India’s economic growth is at its slowest in six years and amid strong opposition to the law which makes it easier for non-Muslim persecuted minorities from three neighboring countries to become Indian citizens.
A poor showing in the capital this weekend could be another blow to Modi’s Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after it lost control of Maharashtra, whose capital is Mumbai, late last year.
Modi appealed to voters to exercise their franchise. “Urging the people of Delhi, especially my young friends, to vote in record numbers,” he wrote on Twitter.
Polling is underway for 70 seats and the results will be announced on Feb. 11.
The contest to win New Delhi is between the BJP and incumbent Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s regional Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
(With inputs from agencies)
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