NEW DELHI — Early on Saturday, counting of votes commenced in the highly significant state legislature elections within India’s federal territory, including New Delhi. Preliminary television exit polls suggested a favorable outcome for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Voter turnout was impressive, with over 60% of the more than 15 million registered voters participating in the elections held on Wednesday to select local governance.
The exit polls indicated that the BJP was set to secure a majority in the assembly of 70 members, competing against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Arvind Kejriwal. The AAP currently governs New Delhi and has garnered significant public support through its focus on welfare initiatives and a strong stance against corruption.
As the initial counting results rolled in, the BJP appeared to be leading in more than 40 of the constituencies. Remarkably, the BJP has not captured this federal territory, which is home to approximately 20 million people, in more than 25 years.
It’s worth noting that while exit polls can provide insights, their accuracy in India is often inconsistent due to the country’s diverse electorate.
The BJP did not achieve a majority on its own in the national elections held last year but managed to form a government with the support of coalition allies. Recently, it has regained some influence by winning elections in the northern state of Haryana and the western state of Maharashtra.
In the lead-up to this election, both Modi and Kejriwal made promises to enhance government schooling, free healthcare, and electricity provisions. They also pledged to provide a monthly stipend exceeding 2,000 rupees (around $25) to aid impoverished women.
The BJP hopes to capitalize on the sentiments following the recent federal budget, which included income tax cuts aimed at the salaried middle class—one of its primary voter demographics.
In the previous state legislature election of 2020, the AAP enjoyed a remarkable victory, clinching 62 out of 70 seats, leaving the BJP with a mere eight and the Congress party with none. The BJP’s last term in power in Delhi was terminated in 1998 by the Congress party, which went on to govern the territory for the next 15 years.
