NEW DELHI: The counting of votes for the Delhi assembly election started on Saturday under tight security arrangements.
Along with Delhi, the counting for by-elections in Uttar Pradesh’s Milkipur seat and Tamil Nadu’s Erode seat is also underway.
At first, the postal ballots will be counted. The Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) will be opened at 8:30 am. All security arrangements have been put in place.
Polling for the 70-member assembly was held on February 5, with a total voter turnout recorded at 60.54 per cent.
The AAP is aiming for a third consecutive term, while the BJP is making all efforts to return to power after more than two decades in the National Capital.
Congress candidate from New Delhi constituency Sandeep Dikshit said on Saturday that he has no idea about any post-poll alliance of his party with Aam Aadmi Party as it is the decision of the high command.
Speaking to ANI Dikshit said, “I have no idea about the alliance. It is the decision of the high command. Let the counting of the votes happen.”
Most exit polls released on Wednesday gave the BJP an edge over the AAP.
However, AAP leaders said that the exit polls have historically underestimated the party’s performance. They expressed confidence in returning to power.
The BJP’s campaign, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, targeted the AAP over alleged toxicity in the Yamuna River and the renovation of Arvind Kejriwal’s residence as Chief Minister.
The PM also used the terms “Aapda” and “Sheesh Mahal” to slam Kejriwal. Meanwhile, the AAP highlighted its “performance” in the education sector during its eleven-year tenure. Kejriwal claimed that the BJP would “stop the free education” if it came to power.
Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also held rallies and targeted Kejriwal and senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia for their alleged role in the Delhi excise policy “scam” case.
Key constituencies include New Delhi, where AAP leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is contesting against Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit and BJP’s Parvesh Verma. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi is facing BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri and Congress candidate Alka Lamba.
The campaign saw sharp exchanges between leaders of the three parties.
The Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and has failed to win any seat.
AAP has dominated the last two assembly elections in Delhi, but the BJP is looking to break the trend and reclaim power in the National Capital after a gap of more than two decades. (ANI)
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