On Wednesday, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal urged Delhi voters to recognize the crucial role of their votes in determining the city’s future. He stated, “Hooliganism will lose, and Delhi will win.”

In a message shared on X, Kejriwal emphasized, “Your vote is more than just a button; it is the cornerstone of a bright future for your children. It provides an opportunity for good schools, excellent healthcare, and a dignified life for every family.” His appeal coincided with the start of voting for the Delhi assembly elections.

With around 1.56 crore registered voters, this election is under close scrutiny, as it has the potential to shape Delhi’s governance moving forward.

In his appeal, Kejriwal stressed the moral and political importance of the election, urging citizens to favour “truth, development, and honesty” instead of “politics of lies, hatred, and fear.” He encouraged voters not only to cast their own votes but also to motivate friends, family, and neighbours to do the same.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi joined in the call for voter engagement, characterizing the election as a struggle between good and evil. “This is a contest between hard work and hooliganism,” she stated, motivating citizens to vote for progress and “goodness.”

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva also appealed to voters, asking them to support his party’s vision of a “clean, well-governed, and prosperous” Delhi under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He urged citizens to vote for the BJP’s lotus symbol, highlighting the need to bolster the “double-engine government” for Delhi’s future development.

Congress candidate Sandeep Dikshit, running against Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency, called on Delhi residents to vote in large numbers to safeguard their rights.

As polling continues until 6 PM, the election is proving to be a tense affair, with the three major parties—AAP, BJP, and Congress—making their cases for leadership in the national capital.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to X to say, “Every vote for Congress will protect your rights, strengthen the Constitution, and set Delhi back on the path of progress.” He added, “While voting, remember who is accountable for polluted air, dirty water, and broken roads. Who perpetrated the biggest scam in Delhi while claiming to advocate clean politics?”

Polling is taking place at 13,766 stations across Delhi’s 70 assembly constituencies, determining the fate of 699 candidates, with results set to be announced on February 8.

Voting for the Delhi Assembly elections commenced on Wednesday, with prominent political leaders, including President Droupadi Murmu, Union Ministers S. Jaishankar and Hardeep Singh Puri, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, among the early voters.

Polling began at 7 a.m. across 13,766 stations in the national capital, with 1.56 crore eligible voters set to decide the fate of 699 candidates contesting across 70 assembly constituencies.

Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, AAP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, and Chief Electoral Officer R. Alice Vaz were also among the early voters.

After casting his vote, LG Saxena described the election as a “festival of democracy” and urged all Delhi residents to participate actively. “Today is a day of duty, not a holiday,” he emphasized.

Union Minister S. Jaishankar, who voted early, remarked, “I have always been an early voter, a Delhi voter. The people are in a mood of change.”

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, the AAP candidate from Kalkaji, visited the Kalkaji temple to offer prayers before casting her vote. She framed the election as a “battle between good and evil, between work and hooliganism.”

Manish Sisodia, AAP candidate from Jangpura, echoed similar sentiments, stating, “I have cast my vote for a better Delhi and for a better life for its people. I appeal to voters to support better education, healthcare, and other essential facilities.”

The Delhi Assembly election witnessed a triangular contest between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Congress. While the AAP is aiming for a third consecutive term, the BJP and Congress are striving to regain their foothold in the capital.

Prominent candidates, including AAP’s Greater Kailash nominee Saurabh Bharadwaj, BJP’s Karawal Nagar candidate Kapil Mishra, and Congress’ New Delhi candidate Sandeep Dikshit, were among those who exercised their franchise early in the day.

With polling underway across the city, authorities have ensured tight security and smooth arrangements at all voting stations. The election results are scheduled to be announced on February 8, 2024.

As Delhiites turn out in large numbers to cast their votes, the election is being seen as a crucial test for the political parties vying for control of the capital. The outcome will not only shape Delhi’s future but also set the tone for the upcoming national elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the sacred rituals of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Wednesday morning, taking a revered ‘holy dip’ at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Dressed in bright saffron, PM Modi joined millions of devotees who visit the site for spiritual purification during the ongoing event.

Before taking the ritual dip, the Prime Minister, accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, embarked on a boat tour of the Sangam, observing the grand gathering of pilgrims and the ongoing festivities.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, which is the world’s largest spiritual gathering, holds immense significance for Hindus, drawing millions of devotees from across India and the world. As part of his commitment to the preservation of India’s cultural and spiritual heritage, PM Modi has regularly participated in such events, reinforcing their importance on a global scale.

While the ritual is widely seen as a symbol of India’s rich spiritual traditions, some opposition leaders have raised concerns about the timing of the visit, given that it coincides with the ongoing Delhi elections.