New Delhi, February 8 – Jubilant BJP supporters erupted in celebration outside the party’s headquarters in the national capital as the latest counting trends indicated a decisive mandate in favor of the saffron party, marking its return to power in Delhi after 26 years.
Amid beats of ‘dhol’ and waving of BJP flags, party workers smeared saffron-colored powder on each other and held up cutouts of the lotus, the party’s election symbol, in a display of enthusiasm.
According to the latest trends released by the Election Commission, the BJP was leading in 41 of Delhi’s 70 assembly seats, while the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was ahead in 29 seats.
With early trends signaling a significant victory, BJP’s Delhi unit president Virendra Sachdeva reaffirmed confidence in forming the government, stating that the next chief minister of Delhi would be from the BJP. He emphasized that the final decision on the chief ministerial candidate would rest with the party’s central leadership.
“The results so far are in line 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 candidate from Kalkaji, Ramesh Bidhuri, who was leading against AAP’s Atishi, echoed Sachdeva’s optimism.
“The people will give the BJP a decisive mandate. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Delhi will progress alongside the rest of the country. I can confidently say that AAP will be eliminated from the national capital,” Bidhuri remarked.
Asked about the possibility of becoming the BJP’s chief ministerial face, Bidhuri downplayed the speculation. “It does not matter at all. I have been an MLA three times and an MP twice. Positions do not matter to us. I am here to serve the citizens. I belong to a party that works for the public,” he said.
As counting progresses, all eyes remain on the final results, which could mark a political shift in Delhi after a decade of AAP rule.
