February 8, 2025: The fate of Delhi’s political landscape hangs in the balance as counting of votes for the highly anticipated assembly elections begins at 8 AM today. The election has seen a fierce triangular contest between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Congress, with exit polls predicting a dramatic shift in power.

AAP, which has governed Delhi for two consecutive terms, is fighting to retain control after securing a massive 62 out of 70 seats in the 2020 elections. Meanwhile, the BJP, which last ruled Delhi 27 years ago, is predicted by exit polls to make a strong comeback, crossing the majority mark of 36 seats and potentially securing up to 50. The Congress, which once dominated Delhi’s political scene for 15 years, is expected to win between 0-3 seats.

One of the most high-profile battles is in the Kalkaji constituency, where Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Atishi is contesting against Congress’s Alka Lamba and BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri. Atishi, confident ahead of the results, described the election as a “fight of good against evil, of work against hooliganism,” expressing hope that Delhi’s voters would support her party’s governance model.

Another crucial contest is in the New Delhi seat, where former Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal is in a direct battle with BJP’s Parvesh Verma and Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit.

Manish Sisodia, AAP leader and candidate from Jangpura, started his day with prayers, reaffirming his commitment to the children and education of Delhi. Meanwhile, Congress’s Alka Lamba expressed her party’s intent to revive development work in the capital, which she claimed had stalled over the past decade.

With the stage set for a decisive outcome, all eyes are on the counting centers as Delhi awaits the final verdict on whether AAP will retain power, or if BJP will achieve its long-awaited return to governance in the national capital.