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India election: BJP heading for defeat in Delhi vote | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is heading for defeat in the Delhi state assembly elections, which are seen as a popularity test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. | |
Latest results show the anti-corruption Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leading in 33 of the 70 seats, while Mr Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party is ahead in six seats. | |
On Saturday, 67% of the over 13 million eligible voters cast their ballots. | On Saturday, 67% of the over 13 million eligible voters cast their ballots. |
Correspondents say the poll results could be the first setback for Mr Modi. | |
He has enjoyed huge popularity since taking office last year, winning a string of local elections and wooing international investors and world leaders. | He has enjoyed huge popularity since taking office last year, winning a string of local elections and wooing international investors and world leaders. |
The AAP is led by former tax inspector and activist Arvind Kejriwal. | |
The BJP's campaign was essentially anti-AAP and the party leaders often criticised Mr Kejriwal at their rallies and road shows. | The BJP's campaign was essentially anti-AAP and the party leaders often criticised Mr Kejriwal at their rallies and road shows. |
Mr Kerjiwal, meanwhile, conducted an energetic campaign which proved popular with working class and underprivileged voters who make up 60% of Delhi's population. | |
Mr Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielded former policewoman Kiran Bedi as its candidate for chief minister. | |
The Congress party, which ran the Indian capital for 15 years until 2013, is predicted to come a distant third. | The Congress party, which ran the Indian capital for 15 years until 2013, is predicted to come a distant third. |
Delhi has been without a government since Mr Kejriwal, the former chief minister, resigned last February, angered that his anti-corruption bill was blocked. | Delhi has been without a government since Mr Kejriwal, the former chief minister, resigned last February, angered that his anti-corruption bill was blocked. |
Since then the state has been governed directly by the federal authorities. | Since then the state has been governed directly by the federal authorities. |
Chief minister contenders: Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi | Chief minister contenders: Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi |
Ms Bedi and Mr Kejriwal worked together during the anti-corruption campaign led by social activist Anna Hazare, but the two have since developed an intense rivalry. | Ms Bedi and Mr Kejriwal worked together during the anti-corruption campaign led by social activist Anna Hazare, but the two have since developed an intense rivalry. |
During weeks of hectic campaigning in Delhi, both candidates promised to bring in good governance, end corruption and make Delhi safe for women. | During weeks of hectic campaigning in Delhi, both candidates promised to bring in good governance, end corruption and make Delhi safe for women. |
In the previous Delhi election held in December 2013, the BJP won the most seats but fell short of a majority, leaving the AAP - which came second - to form a coalition with the Congress party. | In the previous Delhi election held in December 2013, the BJP won the most seats but fell short of a majority, leaving the AAP - which came second - to form a coalition with the Congress party. |
But Mr Kejriwal resigned on 14 February, after 49 days in office, when opposition politicians blocked a bill that would have created an independent body with the power to investigate politicians and civil servants suspected of corruption. | But Mr Kejriwal resigned on 14 February, after 49 days in office, when opposition politicians blocked a bill that would have created an independent body with the power to investigate politicians and civil servants suspected of corruption. |