MCD Election: AAP cries foul over EVMs as BJP wins big; Modi thanks people for faith in party
Latest updates on MCD Elections 2017 Results...
The BJP is headed for a landslide victory winning over 150+ wards while the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress bagged 46 and 28 seats respectively in initial results of the municipal corporation elections.
The AAP was handed a severe drubbing by the BJP, triggering charges of "EVM manipulation" from the Arvind Kejriwal-led party amid murmurs of dissent within its ranks.
The discontent within the party ranks is yet to come into the open, however, Chandni Chowk MLA Alka Lamba's offer to resign owing "responsibility" for the debacle indicated towards an impending churning.
"EVM manipulation is the bitter truth behind the crushing blow to the AAP in the municipal polls," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said.
Senior minister in the Delhi government Gopal Rai said, "This isn't a Modi wave, this is an EVM wave. The same happened in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It is a major threat against democracy. The rights of the electorate will have to be ensured."
Expressing gratitude for bestowing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with their mandate, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the people of New Delhi for choosing the saffron party.
"Grateful to people of Delhi for faith in BJP. I laud hardwork of team BJP which made the resounding MCD win possible," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.
Thanking voters for the party's victory, BJP President Amit Shah said that the results show Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership had been accepted widely.
"Delhi MCD poll results prove that people have put seal of approval on PM's leadership and his 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' principle," he said.
"The people of Delhi have rejected negative politics and politics of excuses and helped Modiji's vijay rath to move forward. It is a recognition of Modiji's leadership", he said.
Meanwhile, Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken has resigned from his post, taking moral responsibility of the party's humiliating defeat. "I will not take up any post in the party for one year. I will work as a party worker, " he said.
The high-stakes civic polls were held on 23 April which saw a voter turnout of 53.58%, a shade higher than in the 2012 elections.
Polling was held in 270 of the 272 wards of the three municipal corporations. The election to two wards has been postponed due to the death of candidates. The verdict is expected to reshape the political equations in the country’s power capital.
Latest Updates
PM Modi thanks Delhi for MCD win
Expressing gratitude for bestowing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with their mandate, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday thanked the people of New Delhi for choosing the saffron party.
Taking to Twitter, the Prime Minister lauded the endeavours of the leaders of the saffron cadre in making the big win possible.
AAP MLA from Chandni Chowk Alka Lamba resigns taking moral responsibility of defeat
Delhi Congress Chief Ajay Maken resigns after party's defeat in polls. "For one year I will not take up any post in the party. I will work as a party worker," he said.
BJP Chief Amit Shah thanks voters, says Modi's leadership has been accepted largely. "Voters rejected politics of excuse," he said.
Manoj Tiwari after victory in MCD elections
# I congratulate and thank two crore family of Delhi on behalf of my team
# I dedicate this victory to our martyrs in Sukma
# This win is a victory for PM Modi, three years of work he's done for the country
# Steps taken by Modi for uplifting poor, women's empowerment issues led to this win
Winning and losing is a part of democracy, one must accept mandate of the people with maturity: Nitin Gadkari
Read: BJP dedicates win to Sukma martyrs, celebrations to remain low-key
Reacting to MCD results former Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit said, "It's people's mandate. We respect that."
She also said that the high command will look into what led to such a performance, and ensure that it's not repeated.
AAP leader Ashutosh blames EVM malfunctioning for AAP's loss.
AAP wins from Tilak Nagar area
AAP PRO Nagendra Sharma on trends
BJP wins Daryaganj, Madhu Vihar wards
Trends so far:
North MCD: BJP leading in 50+ seats, AAP ahead in 17 seats and Congress in 15
South MCD: BJP ahead in 63 seats, followed by AAP in 18 and Congress in 11 seats
East MCD: BJP ahead in 41 constituencies, Congress in 9 and AAP in 8 seats
Overall trends: BJP leading in 73 seats, Congress in 16 constituencies and AAP in 13 seats.
# Ashok Kumar from AAP is leading from Shakurpur
# Tara Chand of AAP is leading from Mangolpuri
# Khanhiya Lal of BJP is leading from Joharipur
# AAP candidate leading from Ashok Nagar
# Veena Virmani of BJP is leading from Ramesh Nagar
# Trends so far: BJP-44, Congress-10, AAP-4, Independent-1
Delhi BJP Chief Manoj Tiwari confident of BJP winning with huge margins.
"Today's morning is important for BJP Delhi. I believe people will be happy with today's mandate. Entire country along with the PM is moving towards cleanliness campaign. Delhi needs special attention in cleanliness campaign. People's mandate will come today and everybody should accept that," said Manoj Tiwari.โ
Trends so far
SDMC: In South Delhi Municipal Corporation BJP is ahead in 14 seats, followed by AAP in 8 seats and Congress in four seats
NDMC: In North Delhi Municipal Corporation BJP is ahead in 16 seats, AAP leading in 5 seats while Congress in two seats.
EDMC: In East Delhi Municipal Corporation BJP is ahead of AAP with six seats. Congress leading in four constituencies.
NDMC: BJP leading in 8 seats, AAP leading in 2 seats
SDMC: Congress leading in two seats, AAP-1 and BJP-1
BJP takes early lead in NDMC, AAP takes early lead in EDMC
Counting of votes begins; BJP Delhi chief Manoj Tiwari offers prayers
Counting of votes for Delhi Municipal polls to begin shortly