Record 67% polling in Delhi

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has every reason to be nervous as Delhiites, both in urban and rural areas, came out in large numbers to exercise their franchise, creating history of sorts in the capital. The emergence of Aam Aadmi in the electoral fray is expected to spring surprises, as never before in the past there were queues inside the polling stations, well beyond the deadline of 5pm.

The Election Commission was forced to extend the voting time till late evening to allow the voters to cast their votes. The BJP was enthusiastic with the record turnout of 67 per cent voters, claiming that it was an anti-incumbency vote in their favour, as Aam Aadmi was a new entrant.

The exit polls predicted a Hung Assembly, giving almost equal number of seats to the Congress and the AAP, while giving an edge to the BJP. The Hung Assembly in Delhi would pose a different kind of problem, as none of the three parties would opt to join hands with each other. AAP claimed that they had not entered politics for any lust for power and, therefore, there was no question of shaking hands either with the BJP or the Congress.

Casting his vote early in the day, AAP leader gave the call, “Please vote, then eat.” The high voter-turnout has caused ripples in the political circles. Fighting hard to hide her nervousness, Sheila Dikshit said, “I am too grown-up to be nervous. I will keep my fingers crossed.”

For the Chief Minister, this time, it is not only difficult to win for the fourth time in the capital but also in her own constituency of New Delhi, where AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is pitted against her. The voter-turnout in itself is an indicator that the people are keen to see a change.

The BJP has been dismissive of AAP and claimed all through the campaign that Arvind Kejriwal’s party is a media creation and is no serious contender for power. As the principal Opposition party, the BJP asserted that it would be the natural beneficiary of the double anti-incumbency of the Congress, in Delhi and at the Centre. Delhi Chief Ministerial candidate Harsh Vardhan was all smiles and expressed absolute confidence of victory, claiming that the Congress and AAP are fighting for the second position.

As Congress president Sonia Gandhi arrived to cast her vote, she was escorted by Sheila Dikshit. After casting their votes, both showed their inked fingers, even as Sheila Dikshit flashed victory sign. Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra with Robert Vadra also cast their vote. Sheila Dikshit claimed that the conditions in the capital were brought down to pits when the BJP was in power from 1993-98. After she took over 15 years ago in 1998, Sheila Dikshit claimed Delhi has been shaped up as a world-class city.