AAP sweeps Delhi with 62 seats

New Delhi, Feb 11,2020: Arvind Kejriwal is all set to become the Chief Minister of Delhi for a third straight term, as his Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday won 62 seats in the 70-member Assembly elections, leaving the Bharatiya Janata Party way behind and reducing the Congress to a virtual non-entity.
Kejriwal called the the massive mandate as the “birth of new kind of politics — politics of development.”
Counting of votes that was taken up on Tuesday after Saturday’s elections showed that the BJP managed to win eight seats, five seats more than what it had got in the last election, despite a spirited campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
The Sonia Gandhi-led Congress which once ruled by Sheila Dixit for 15 years fared miserably yet again as it failed to open its account in the national capital, with its candidates losing deposits in 67 constituencies.
With all the results were out, Lt Governor Anil Baijal dissolved the Assembly.
Prime Minister Modi congratulated Mr Kejriwal and wished him luck in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Delhi.
In reply, Kejriwal said, “I look forward to working closely with Centre to make our capital city into a truly world class city.’
In the new assembly, seven women have found their space. AAP spokesperson Atishi is one among them.
A total of 672 candidates, including 593 men and 79 women, were in the fray, which was widely perceived to be a three-way contest but ended up in an one-horse race.
As per Election Commission data, AAP got a whopping 53.60 per cent vote, BJP 38.50 pc while INC 4.27 pc. Only 0.46 pc of voters pressed NOTA (None Of The Above) button.
Delhi voted for better education and medical facilities, free electricity and water supply, which were highlighted by AAP in its campaign rather than national issues—abrogation of Article 370, Citizenship (Amendment) Act and triple talaq—BJP’s poll agenda.
“Only those will be elected to power who will provide cheap electricity, Mohalla Clinics and roads to the people,” Kejriwal said, addressing his supporters in party’s headquater in Rouse Avenue.