Wed Feb 05 21:07:17 IST 2025: **Delhi BJP Poised for Comeback After Exit Polls Predict AAP Defeat**
NEW DELHI — Exit polls suggest a significant shift in Delhi’s political landscape, predicting a potential BJP victory in the 2025 Assembly elections after a 27-year absence from power. With a 57.70% voter turnout recorded by 5 pm (final numbers pending from the Election Commission of India), most polls forecast a BJP majority, ranging from 39 to 60 seats out of 70. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), currently in power, is projected to win between 20 and 31 seats, while the Congress is predicted to secure very few, if any, seats. One poll, Matrize, offered a more contested prediction, suggesting a close race between the BJP and AAP.
The elections saw a fierce three-way contest between the BJP, AAP, and Congress, with over 1.56 crore eligible voters casting their ballots across 13,766 polling stations. High-profile contests included the Kalkaji constituency, featuring Chief Minister Atishi (AAP), Alka Lamba (Congress), and Ramesh Bidhuri (BJP). Arvind Kejriwal (AAP) faced off against Parvesh Varma (BJP) and Sandeep Dikshit (Congress) in the New Delhi constituency.
The day was marked by several incidents, including allegations of vote rigging and distribution of money by both the BJP and AAP, leading to minor clashes and police intervention. The Election Commission reported allegations of fake voting in several constituencies, and arrests were made. Both parties traded accusations throughout the day. AAP also alleged that police were preventing their polling station workers from relieving others.
Despite AAP’s dismissal of the exit polls, citing past underestimation of their performance, BJP leaders expressed confidence in their predicted victory, attributing it to public desire for a corruption-free government and development under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. The final results will be announced on February 8.
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