Delhi election highlights: BJP will get over 45 seats, says Amit Shah

Delhi election LIVE updates: BJP, the AAP and the Congress launching a no-holds-barred attack on rivals on issues like anti-CAA protest at Shaheen Bagh and performance of the Kejriwal govt on Monday

Marked by the BJP aggressively raising the anti-CAA protests in Shaheen Bagh as a poll issue, the AAP hardselling development and the Congress conspicuous by its near absence, the bitter, often divisive and vitriolic campaign for the Delhi elections ended on Thursday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed two rallies and hit out at anti-CAA protests, saying agitations like the one in Shaheen Bagh were not merely a "coincidence" but an "experiment" to damage national harmony.

In their final electioneering push, the three key parties made last ditch efforts to seek votes and slugged it out over issues ranging from the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, appeasement politics and unemployment.

The campaign that lasted for over three weeks ended at 6 pm on Thursday, just 38 hours before the start of voting for the high-stakes Delhi assembly election.

There are 672 candidates in fray for 70 Assembly seats. On the last day of the campaign, Home Minister Amit Shah took out three roadshow at Seelampur in northeast Delhi, and Hari Nagar and Madipur in west Delhi.

The elections for Delhi Assembly's 70 seats will be held on February 8. Results will be declared on February 11.

11:56 PM

Amit Shah anchors BJP's campaign, holds 35 rallies in last 13 days

Senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah has held 35 rallies and nine road shows in the national capital in the last 13 days in an attempt to build support and draw votes for the saffron party candidates contesting the February 8 Assembly elections.

The campaign for the Delhi Assembly elections came to an end at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

The BJP's election campaign was mainly anchored by Shah and newly appointed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Jagat Prakash Nadda.

11:55 PM

Shaheen Bagh joint-venture of AAP, Congress: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday alleged the anti-CAA protest at Shaheen Bagh was a "joint venture" of the AAP and the Congress and claimed the "tukde-tukde gang" would get a "shock" when the election results are declared.
 

Addressing three roadshows, he asserted that the BJP would emerge victorious in the elections as people will vote for country's security, development and good governance. Read more...

11:38 PM

Kejriwal 'exposed', BJP to win more than 45 seats in Delhi: Nadda

As the campaign for the Delhi assembly polls ended on Thursday, BJP president J P Nadda said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been "exposed" for his "false" promises and expressed confidence that the saffron party will win over 45 seats in the 70-member legislature.

 

He also accused Kejriwal and the Congress of misleading Muslims, and fuelling violence under the garb of the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests. Read more...

11:36 PM

Around 40,000 Delhi Police personnel deployed for Delhi polls

Around 40,000 Delhi Police personnel, 190 coys (companies) of Central Armed Police Forces and 19,000 Home Guards have been deployed for smooth conduct of election in the national capital, officials said on Thursday.

 

While the Delhi Police personnel have been put on specific election duties, the coys of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will ensure security of polling premises and movement of EVMs. In addition, 19,000 Home guards will assist local police in ensuring security for polling booths, the officials said. Read more...

11:22 PM

Delhi polls: 132 centenarian voters, 110-year-woman oldest electorate

More than 130 centenarian voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the February 8 election and they will be treated "as a VIP" on the polling day, officials said on Thursday.
 

Earlier, the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office had identified 150 centenarian voters but the number was revised after physical verification. Read more...

11:12 PM

Ahead of Delhi polls, anti-CAA protesters demand more security at protest sites

Anti-CAA protestors here on Thursday sought heightened security at Jamia Millia Islamia and Shaheen Bagh, following the recent firing incidents at these sites.

 

The protestors alleged that more such incidents might happen on the February 8 Delhi Assembly elections.

 

Three firing incidents have taken place in Jamia Nagar area in a week. Read more...

10:29 PM

BJP mounts most aggressive campaign, turns heat on its rivals

Looking to capture power after a gap of 22 years, the BJP mounted its one of the most aggressive campaigns in the Delhi Assembly polls so far, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah leading the saffron charge fuelled by its planks of Hindutva and nationalism, and its strident opposition to anti-CAA protest in Shaheen Bagh.

 

The BJP turned the heat on its rivals, primarily the Aam Aadmi Party, over the Shaheen Bagh protests, and its leaders are of the view that their strong stand against the protestors have put the party in reckoning for power in the national capital after it appeared to be "down and out" only months back. Read more...

10:17 PM

"Elect us in all the 70 Delhi constituencies so that we can work with greater conviction in our next tenure," said Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

10:17 PM

10:08 PM

UP CM Yogi Adityanath under EC lens

The Election Commission has written to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for violating the model code of conduct and gave him till February 7 to "explain" his position.
 

The EC said the UP Chief Minister has violated the code of conduct for "criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion". This move comes after after the EC received a report from the Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi, informing the commission about a speech Adityanath gave in Delhi's Karawal Nagar on February 1. 

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9:37 PM

People will vote for 'politics of work': Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Thursday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress were scared as people would vote for the politics of work and end the politics of religion in the February 8 Delhi Assembly polls.
 

Addressing the media earlier in the day, he said that politics had undergone a transition. "I want to congratulate the people of Delhi for changing the basis of politics. You paved the way for honest politics by voting for a new party (AAP) in 67 out of the 70 Assembly seats. It's time to transform politics and establish the politics of work," he said.

8:55 PM

EC appoints Vinod Zutshi as special general observer for Delhi polls

The Election Commission has appointed Vinod Zutshi, one of its former senior officials, as a special general observer for Delhi polls with immediate effect, officials said on Thursday.

 

The commission on Thursday held a special review meeting with Chief Secretary, Commissioner of Police, Delhi Chief Electoral Officer, and senior officers of the Delhi government to assess the status of poll preparedness, an EC spokesperson said. Read more...

8:38 PM

EC issues show-cause notice to UP CM Yogi Adityanath

The Election Commission on Thursday issued a show-cause notice to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his alleged 'biryani for terrorist' remarks.

 

The poll panel has asked him to respond to the notice before 5 pm on Friday. Read more...

8:29 PM

Shaheen Bagh is joint venture of AAP and Congress: Amit Shah

"Shaheen Bagh is the joint venture of the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress. Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi are worried that Shaheen Bagh should not be discussed. I want to ask them why the security of the country should not be an electoral issue? Why are the people sitting in Shaheen Bagh demanding 'Jinnah Wali Azadi' and why the tukde-tukde gang is supporting them?, said Amit Shah