Getting his chair since 2015 after winning a spectacular 67 of 70 seats, the MCD polls on Sunday now is going to prove whether the AAP supremo still has his “Aam aadmi” magic to impress the Delhiites. Will his promise to turn Delhi into London draw voters to press the button for AAP? The party manifesto promises a “clean and corruption-free” Delhi— just like others. Will it be enough?
Ruling the national capital has never been easy for him as his party has mostly made news for the wrong reasons. Years down, the 12 zones vote for 272 wards in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls is a vital aspect or what the political observers are calling—a litmus test for the AAP government.
The party has faced a setback with Rajouri Garden assembly bypoll where it scored lesser than Sonia Gandhi-led Congress. Also, disappointment followed them to Goa and Punjab.
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Nonetheless, Arvind Kejriwal has campaigned vigorously in recent days with rivals BJP, Congress and smaller outfits like Janata Dal (U), BSP and Swaraj India on the tow. The number of candidates contesting this time has increased from the 2012 poll with a record-breaking 58% attendance.
Close to 1.3 crore people are eligible to vote today for the civil poll and what can constitute to a big turnout factor is the weatherman predicting a cooler weather.
Still high on their Rajouri Garden win, BJP is the frontrunner. Banking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aura and good governance, the party has fielded fresh candidates with comparatively less experience.
Despite big noise on EVM tampering, the Sunday poll will see the usage of the device. A mock poll will be conducted to check whether they are functioning properly.
Polling for Maujhpur and Sarai Pipal ward has been postponed due to death of the candidates.