Exit polls indicate a resurgent BJP in the Delhi Assembly elections, projecting a clear lead over the ruling AAP, which has governed the national capital since 2015. The Congress, once a dominant force under Sheila Dikshit, is predicted to remain a marginal player.
An average of five exit polls suggests the BJP could secure around 39 seats, surpassing the halfway mark of 36, while AAP may be reduced to 30 seats. However, some pollsters, such as Mind Brink (44–49 seats) and WeePreside (46–52 seats), predict an AAP victory, making the final outcome unpredictable.
Key Exit Poll Predictions:
PMarq: BJP 39–49, AAP 21–31
Times Now JVC: BJP 39–45, AAP 22–31
People’s Pulse: BJP 51–60, AAP 10–19
Matrize: BJP 35–40, AAP 32–37
Political analysts suggest that BJP’s aggressive campaign against AAP’s leadership, particularly over the liquor policy scam and the “Sheesh Mahal” controversy involving Kejriwal’s residence renovation, may have influenced voters. Additionally, the recent Budget’s tax cuts for the middle class and Congress eating into AAP’s Muslim and Dalit vote bank might have helped the BJP gain ground. As the exit polls predicted a favourable outcome for the saffron party, BJP’s Delhi unit chief Virendra Sachdeva said “AAP-da (disaster) is leaving” – a term coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to describe the AAP.
However, the AAP put up a brave face, with leader Reena Gupta stressing that the party would “register a historic victory”, and Arvind Kejriwal would become the Chief Minister for a fourth time.
“You look at any exit poll historically, AAP is always given a smaller number of seats, whether its 2013, 2015 or 2020. But whatever is shown, AAP gets a lot greater number of seats in reality. AAP will register a historic victory,” PTI quoted Gupta as saying.
58.27% voter turnout recorded, Mustafabad tops with 69%
The high-stakes Delhi Assembly elections saw a 58.27% voter turnout on Wednesday as polling concluded at 6 p.m. across all 70 constituencies. This marks a slight dip from the 62.59% turnout recorded in the 2020 elections, but the enthusiasm of voters remained high throughout the day.
Among the constituencies, Mustafabad recorded the highest turnout at 69%, while Karol Bagh reported the lowest at 47.40%, according to the Delhi Chief Electoral Office. A total of 13,766 polling stations were set up at 2,696 locations to facilitate smooth voting.
Polling day was declared a paid holiday for employees in both government and private sectors, with neighboring states Uttar Pradesh and Haryana also granting a holiday due to the elections in the national capital.
This year, 699 candidates contested the elections, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress fielding 70 candidates each, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) contested 68 seats, leaving two seats to its allies, JD(U) and LJP.
In the prestigious New Delhi constituency, where AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is seeking re-election, the BJP and Congress have fielded Parvesh Sahib Singh and Sandeep Dikshit, sons of former Chief Ministers.
The Election Commission will announce the official results on February 8, which will determine whether AAP secures a third consecutive term or if the BJP ends its 27-year wait to regain power in Delhi.