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2025 Delhi dangal: Congress vote share to determine AAP, BJP seat tally

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New Delhi, Jan 7: In the last two Assembly elections in Delhi in 2020 and 2015, voters overwhelmingly backed the AAP, giving it 53.6 per cent and 54.3 per cent vote share respectively, a comforting fact for the ruling party which is hoping to clock a decent number of seats even in the upcoming polls on February 5, despite the pressure mounted by the BJP and the Congress.

The belief in the AAP ranks is that even in the worst scenario, the drop in their vote share can never be so drastic that the party will be vanquished. They hope to continue being a force in Delhi politics.

As pollsters have indicated repeatedly, the BJP’s tally in Delhi Assembly elections, partially, depends on the Congress’ performance and its ability to cut into the AAP’s vote-bank that includes Muslims, slum dwellers, Purvanchalis and other residents of unauthorised colonies who vouch for former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s welfare schemes.

In 2020, the total turnout was 62.82 per cent and the AAP won 62 seats (vote share 53.6 per cent). The AAP won 67 seats in 2015.

The BJP won 8 seats in 2020 and 3 in 2015. The saffron party’s vote share in 2020 was 38.5 per cent. The Congress got a 4.26 per cent vote share in 2020.

In 2015, the total voter turnout was 67.47 per cent with the AAP’s vote share at 54.3 per cent, rising by 24.8 per cent from the previous outing in 2013, and its seats increased from 28 to 67, a gain of 39.

In the same election, the BJP’s vote share dipped by 0.8 per cent to 32.3 per cent and its seats reduced to 3 from 32 in 2013. The Congress vote share was 9.7 per cent, down 14.9 per cent, and it failed to open its tally – a loss of eight seats.

This election was a defining outing for the Congress which lost all its voters to the new outfit. The Congress’ loss of a vote share of 14.9 per cent was AAP’s gain.

The Modi Effect: Between 2015 and 2020 elections, the BJP’s vote share increased from 32.3 per cent to 38.5 per cent. The 2020 Assembly election was the first time that the BJP supporters, along with other voters in Delhi, were voting after seeing the performance of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre after a full tenure of five years.

Ahead of the 2015 elections, the Modi government was just one-year-old and Delhiites hadn’t seen his performance over a long period.

If previous results are any indication, the BJP support and vote share in the upcoming elections are likely to rise as voters are now aware of the ‘Modi Magic’ and his reputation to deliver on guarantees.

The possibility of Delhiites voting on Modi’s face value, just as voters did in Haryana and Maharashtra, is very high, especially, after the Prime Minister has guaranteed the continuation of all free welfare schemes being offered in the national Capital by the AAP and promising to make Delhi a global-level Capital.

Pollsters believe that if the AAP and the BJP promise the same free welfare services, the differentiating factor that might impact the voter decision could be the clean image of the top leaders of both the parties that is, Arvind Kejriwal for the AAP and PM Modi for the BJP.

“Such a Modi versus Kejriwal clash in Delhi could give an edge to the BJP due to the corruption allegations against the AAP leader,” said a political science teacher from Delhi University, cautioning that the BJP will have to counter Kejriwal’s ability to extract voter sympathy by claiming victimisation by the Centre and slapping of “false” corruption cases.

Voter turnout: A high voter turnout, a good performance by the Congress, in terms of vote share, and a restriction on bogus voting could still be the key factors that may influence the fate of both the AAP and the BJP in the upcoming elections.

An improved performance by the Congress may only keep the grand old party alive in the city where its identity is gradually getting eroded.

Among Delhi districts, the highest turnout in the 2015 Assembly elections was reported from North West at 68.58 per cent followed by Shahdara district at 65.81 per cent and 64.26 per cent in East district.

The high turnout in trans-Yamuna area, in a way, reflects the high expectations of the residents of unauthorised colonies and unplanned areas in terms of free water, power, health, sewer and roads – which the AAP has promised time and again.

The lowest turnout was in New Delhi district at 56.24 per cent, reflecting the voter apathy in more developed colonies whose residents already enjoy good infrastructure and, largely, are not eligible for free power and water. The district is home to constituencies like Patel Nagar, Delhi Cantonment, Rajender Nagar, New Delhi, R.K. Puram and Greater Kailash.

National News

‘Balasaheb Thackeray’s Body Kept For 2 Days After Death, Handprints Were Taken’: Shinde Sena Leader Ramdas Kadam’s EXPLOSIVE Claim

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Mumbai: Mumbai’s political circles were left stunned on Thursday after senior Shinde camp leader Ramdas Kadam made an explosive allegation during the faction’s Dussehra rally at NESCO Centre in Goregaon. While much attention was on the speeches of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray at their respective rallies, it was Kadam who stole the spotlight with a sensational claim linked to the death of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

Kadam alleged that after Balasaheb’s death in 2012, his body was kept at Matoshree for two days to take fingerprints. The senior leader went a step further by questioning the circumstances of Balasaheb’s final days and his will. “Why was Balasaheb’s body kept for two days? What was happening inside? People said handprints were taken, for what purpose? When was his will prepared and who signed it? All these details must come out,” Kadam demanded.

Speaking to the media after the rally, Kadam reiterated the claim, saying, “Balasaheb’s death took place two days earlier, but his body was kept inside Matoshree for taking hand impressions. This is what the doctors who treated him had told me. Even inside Matoshree, people were discussing it.”

When asked who gave him the information, Kadam responded, “I was told directly by Dr Parker, who was treating Balasaheb at that time. There was talk at Matoshree too. This is just the beginning, a lot more will come out if they keep targeting us. If my son is attacked politically, I will reveal everything step by step.”

Kadam further accused Uddhav Thackeray of acting out of vengeance and targeting his son, Yogesh Kadam. “You are asking for my son’s resignation, singling him out. I spent 55 years at Matoshree. I know how many times you packed your bags to leave. We built Shiv Sena, not Uddhav Thackeray,” he said, adding, “This is revenge politics.”

His comments have sparked sharp debate in political circles, with many describing them as the most sensational claim made in recent years regarding Balasaheb’s death. While the Shinde camp remained silent on Kadam’s remarks, the Uddhav-led Sena UBT is expected to respond strongly in the coming days.

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Crime

Delhi Police rescue 7-year-old boy in swift operation, arrest 4 kidnappers

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New Delhi, Oct 3: In a swift rescue operation, Delhi Police on Friday successfully rescued a 7-year-old boy kidnapped from the national capital and taken to Haryana.

According to the press release issued by Vikaspuri Police Station, the child was abducted by a man identified as Ajay Verma, a former live-in partner of the boy’s mother, who allegedly used the child as leverage to force her to return to him.

The dramatic incident unfolded on September 28, when the mother filed a complaint at Vikaspuri Police Station, reporting that her son hadn’t returned home from school the previous day. She suspected Ajay Verma, a resident of Hansi, Haryana, with whom she once shared a live-in relationship, of having kidnapped the boy. The motive soon became chillingly clear: Verma was attempting to blackmail the complainant into resuming their relationship.

Under the overall supervision of Garima Tiwari, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Tilak Nagar, a dedicated team was formed under Inspector Rajveer Singh, SHO Vikaspuri, and led by Inspector Deepak Dahiya, with SI Sandeep Yadav spearheading the investigation. An FIR (No. 349/25 under sections 137(2)/140 BNS) was swiftly registered.

Acting with urgency, the team combed through CCTV footage around the school and identified two individuals abducting the child on a motorcycle. Despite Verma repeatedly switching off his mobile phone to evade detection, the police team employed advanced surveillance techniques and social media tracking to follow his digital trail.

After intensive efforts, a breakthrough came when Verma’s associate, Ajay (a resident of Vikaspuri), was traced. It was discovered that Verma had contacted him via Instagram to arrange a pistol. His interrogation led police to a farmhouse in Hansi, Haryana, where Verma was hiding with the kidnapped child and two other associates.

A sub-team that had already been deployed in Hansi for three days sprang into action and rescued the child unharmed. The accused, including Verma, were arrested on-site. Simultaneously, Ajay (from Delhi) was nabbed, and a country-made pistol was recovered from his residence, leading to a separate case under the Arms Act.

The four accused arrested are: Ajay Verma, 24, the main accused, a graduate, who is a mobile repair technician in Hansi, with no previous criminal history.

Another accused, Amit, 18, a tent worker from Hisar, provided shelter to Verma post-kidnapping.

Sachin, 20, a factory worker, gave shelter to the accused; he has a previous Arms Act case registered against him.

Ajay (Delhi), 20, a sweeper, drove the kidnappers to Hansi on his bike and returned alone.

Police revealed that Verma had become obsessively possessive during his past relationship with the complainant. After she left him due to his abusive and suspicious behaviour, he hatched a plan to kidnap her son and pressure her into returning. Threat messages sent to the mother suggested he might harm the child if she didn’t comply.

In a commendable operation that spanned Delhi and Haryana, the Delhi Police cracked the case within days, rescued the child safely, and dismantled what appeared to be a nascent kidnapping syndicate. The recovery of an illegal weapon and the arrest of all accused have sent a strong message to criminal elements.

A team, which was already present in Hansi for three days, was sent to the location, and Ajay Verma was located in the farm of District Hansi with the kidnapped child and two of his associates. The child was rescued unharmed, and the accused were placed under arrest.

The successful recovery of the kidnapped child within a short span, coupled with the arrest of all conspirators and the seizure of an illegal weapon, has not only restored the faith of the community in the police force but also delivered a strong message against anti-social elements.

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Crime

Mumbai: Singer Vipul Chheda Arrested By Malad Police For Allegedly Cheating Jeweller Of ₹5.41 Lakh

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Mumbai: The Malad police have arrested singer Vipul Chheda, 37, for allegedly cheating a jeweller of Rs 5.41 lakh. Absconding for a month, Vipul was caught on September 25.

The singer, who runs Dharma Associates, bought a diamond bracelet from Saisiddhi Jewellers in Borivali West through marketing assistant Rima Chheda, who earns commissions by referring customers. On April 22, Vipul asked Rima to bring the bracelets near Malad’s Bata showroom. He bought one bracelet and issued a cheque, which bounced. He neither paid nor returned the bracelet.

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