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The 2025 Delhi Assembly elections have concluded voting, and the city awaits the release of exit polls, expected shortly after 6 pm. These polls will offer a glimpse into the potential outcome before the official vote count on February 8th. Previous Delhi elections in 2015 and 2020 saw exit polls correctly predicting an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) victory, albeit underestimating the party's margin of victory. In 2015, exit polls predicted 42 seats for AAP, while the party secured 67; in 2020, the predictions were 56 and the actual result was 62 seats. This year's election is anticipated to be a close contest between the ruling AAP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The voting process itself was largely peaceful, though marred by accusations of irregularities from both sides. The AAP, led by prominent figures like ex-Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj, alleged instances of booth capturing, fake voting, and cash distribution by BJP workers. Sisodia, contesting from Jungpura, specifically accused BJP workers of providing voters with money, a claim denied by the Delhi Police. Bhardwaj claimed that Delhi Police interfered with the voting process in his constituency. Conversely, BJP's local leader Virendra Sachdeva countered these accusations, claiming that AAP was facilitating fake voting and asserting that a wave of change is sweeping Delhi.
The Delhi Police responded to the allegations, denying AAP's claims and attributing the presence of BJP placards at polling booths – a violation of the Model Code of Conduct – to an independent candidate. This exchange of accusations highlights the intense competition between the two main contenders. The election is largely framed as a direct contest between Arvind Kejriwal's AAP and Narendra Modi's BJP. The Congress party, having failed to win any seats in the previous two Assembly elections and the recent Lok Sabha polls, is not expected to play a significant role in this election's outcome.
The BJP's campaign involved significant participation from high-profile leaders like Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Much of their campaign centered on allegations of corruption in the AAP's liquor policy. These allegations led to the arrest and subsequent release on bail of Kejriwal and Sisodia. Following his release, Kejriwal resigned as Chief Minister on moral grounds, stating his intention to return only if the people voted for him and he received a 'certificate of honesty'. The high-stakes nature of this election, with AAP aiming for a third consecutive term, and the BJP aggressively campaigning to seize power, makes this election extremely consequential for the political landscape of Delhi and the nation.
The results of the exit polls will be closely watched, providing an early indication of which party is likely to form the next government. The outcome will be heavily influenced by factors such as voter turnout, the effectiveness of the campaigns of both major parties, and public reaction to the allegations of irregularities during the voting process. While exit polls offer a prediction, the final result will be determined by the official vote count on February 8th. The intense scrutiny surrounding this election reflects its significance, not just for Delhi, but for national politics as a whole, given the prominent figures and parties involved. The coming days will reveal whether AAP can maintain its stronghold on Delhi or if the BJP will succeed in its bid to capture the capital.
Source: Arvind Kejriwal Hat-trick Or BJP Comeback? Delhi Election Exit Polls Soon