New Delhi: As expected, Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party surged ahead of the BJP in early leads as the counting of votes started this morning.
The AAP is leading in 58 seats and the Bharatiya Janata Party is leading in 12 seats. AAP’s vote share is currently at 52.7%, and the BJP’s at 39.8%, according to the Election Commission.
Delhi deputy chief minister, Manish Sisodia, however, is trailing in the in Kalkaji constituency.
A party needs 36 seats to win in the 70-member assembly.
The Congress is not leading in a single seat. Its vote share is a mere 4.4%.
The campaign for Delhi has been has been bitter and polarized, the political discourse bogged down by hate speeches. The BJP has been banking on the anti-CAA protests at Shaheen Bagh for a surge.
AAP has been hoping for its performance in health and education sectors and the free power and water will see it through.
According to EC’s website, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was leading from his New Delhi constituency. He reached his party office as the counting got underway.
Counting centres are spread across 21 locations, spanning 70 constituencies. The election was held on February 8.