New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to return to power in Delhi after over 26 years, as the latest trend from the Election Commission of India (ECI) indicates the party leading in 43 out of 70 Assembly seats. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is ahead in 27 seats, as of 11. 30 am.
As the BJP surged past the halfway mark, celebrations erupted outside the party's headquarters in Delhi. Supporters danced to the beats of 'dhol', waved party flags, and smeared saffron-coloured powder on each other in jubilation. Holding cutouts of the BJP's election symbol, the lotus, party workers cheered what they believed to be a decisive mandate in favour of the saffron party.
With early indicators pointing towards a BJP victory, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva expressed confidence in forming the next government. He emphasised that the party's central leadership would decide who would be the next chief minister.
"The results so far align with our expectations, but we will wait for the final outcome," Sachdeva said after offering prayers at the Hanuman temple in Connaught Place.
BJP's Kalkaji candidate Ramesh Bidhuri, who was leading against AAP's Atishi, said, "Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Delhi will progress alongside the rest of the country. AAP will be eliminated from the national capital."
