New Delhi: Delhi is all set to witness one of the most interesting battles today to form the next government. These assembly elections will change the traditional bipolar political rivalry into a three-dimensional fight between the Congress, BJP and Aam Admi Party (AAP).
The current Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit has made all efforts for an unprecedented fourth successive win. To regain power after 15 years in opposition the BJP too has intensively campaigned
The Congress party Dikshit may face people's wrath because of a significant rise in prices of fruit and vegetables in the last two months
Charges were also traded between the BJP and the Congress on a number of local issues like regularisation of unauthorised colonies, BRT corridor, demand for full statehood and high water and power tariffs.
Around 1.19 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise today and over 4.05 lakh first-time voters.
For the 70-member assembly a total of 810 candidates are in the fray.The BJP has fielded candidates in 66 seats and the Congress and the AAP in all 70 constituencies.
The BSP is contesting on 69 seats, the NCP on nine and the Samajwadi Party has fielded candidates in 27 seats. A total of 224 independents are also in the fray.
The entry of Arvind Kejriwal's AAP has changed the game and dimension of the fight will be interesting to see whether Kejriwal will spread the magic and win some seats.
The stakes in this election are high for Dikshit who mainly highlighted her achievements and development agenda while BJP's chief ministerial candidate Harsh Vardhan promised to cut power tariff by 30 per cent and slash vegetable prices within 30 days of coming to power.
The BJP has promised to give 12 subsidised LPG cylinders in a year to each household instead of the current nine besides ensuring full statehood. It has also promised to set up a dedicated women security force.
The Congress has promised to set up a single command system to address the problems of multiplicity of authorities and a common economic zone for the entire National Capital Region to minimise load on Delhi's infrastructure. It has also promised to construct double- decker flyovers to ease traffic congestion.
The AAP has promised to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill within 15 days of coming to power besides cutting power tariff by 50 per cent.
Arvind Kejriwal has also promised to remove corruption and 700 litres of water per day will be given free to each household.
