NEW DELHI — On Wednesday, voting commenced in New Delhi for the state legislature elections, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) aiming to displace the dominant Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has been in power for over a decade.
As the cold winter morning set in, voters traveled to polling booths throughout the vast capital. Notable AAP figure Manish Sisodia and other party members participated in a traditional prayer ceremony at a temple before casting their votes.
The BJP, led by Modi, faces off against the AAP, under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership. The AAP has garnered significant support due to its welfare initiatives and anti-corruption stance. However, Kejriwal’s reputation has recently taken a hit amid corruption allegations against him.
In the last election of 2020, the AAP enjoyed a sweeping victory, securing 62 out of 70 seats, leaving the BJP with only eight and the Congress party without any representation. This followed the AAP’s previous triumph in 2015, when they won 67 seats, with the BJP claiming just three.
Both Modi and Kejriwal have actively campaigned, conducting roadshows accompanied by substantial crowds. Their campaign messages include promises for the enhancement of government schools, the provision of free medical services, and electricity, alongside a monthly stipend of more than 2,000 rupees ($25) for impoverished women.
Voting is set to conclude later in the day, with election results expected on Saturday. Over 15 million residents of New Delhi are authorized to cast their votes in this pivotal election.
Political commentator Arati Jerath anticipates a competitive contest, remarking on the AAP’s transition from a one-sided political landscape.
With a population exceeding 20 million, Delhi is a federal territory where the BJP has not won in over 27 years, despite enjoying substantial support.
Kejriwal and other AAP members have recently been embroiled in a corruption case linked to a liquor licensing issue. Analyst Neerja Chowdhury noted that this controversy has negatively impacted Kejriwal’s previously unblemished image.
Kejriwal, alongside two significant party figures, was arrested last year over allegations of accepting bribes from a liquor distributor, charges they strongly refute as politically motivated. The Supreme Court permitted their release on bail following their arrest.
Subsequently, Kejriwal stepped down from his position as chief minister, appointing a senior leader to take his place.
The BJP, which could not achieve a majority in the previous national elections but successfully formed a coalition government, has regained some influence through wins in recent state elections in Haryana and Maharashtra.
Modi’s party is optimistic about the outcomes, particularly following last week’s federal budget, which favored the salaried middle class by reducing income taxes, a vital demographic for the party.
Opposition parties have condemned Kejriwal’s arrest, accusing the Modi government of leveraging federal agencies to intimidate political adversaries. They have highlighted the numerous raids, arrests, and investigations targeting key opposition figures in the lead-up to national elections.
Kejriwal, initially an anti-corruption advocate, established the AAP in 2012 in response to public outrage against the Congress party’s corruption scandals. His policies are framed around improving state-operated schools and providing affordable electricity, as well as healthcare and bus services for women.
The BJP was ousted from power in Delhi in 1998 by the Congress party, which governed for 15 years. Subsequently, the AAP has dominated the electoral landscape with substantial victories in both 2015 and 2020 elections.
