Delhi elects only seven MPs, but winning the Indian capital is rewarding for a party since it’s the seat of power and the city where the parliament is located.
Mr Modi’s NDA coalition is leading in all seven seats, according to early trends.
In 2019 too, BJP had swept Delhi, winning all the seats. But this time around, it was expected to be a much more keenly fought contest.
And that’s because just weeks before polling began in mid-April, Delhi’s popular Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested and jailed on accusations of corruption.
Copyright: Team Kejriwal
Mr Kejriwal accused the government of levelling false charges against him since his party had defeated the BJP three times in Delhi state elections.
Last month, the Supreme Court freed him on bail so that he could campaign for his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He returned to prison on 2 June once the polling had ended.
At his campaign rallies, Mr Kejriwal exhorted his supporters to vote for his party to ensure he wouldn’t have to remain in prison for long.
But if the early trends hold, it won’t be good news for the Delhi chief minister.
Emily Foster is a globe-trotting journalist based in the UK. Her articles offer readers a global perspective on international events, exploring complex geopolitical issues and providing a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
