Exit polls predict BJP's comeback in Delhi after 27 years
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears set to return to power in Delhi after a gap of 27 years, according to multiple exit polls conducted after the Delhi Assembly elections on Wednesday. The predictions come as a major setback for the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which was vying for a third consecutive term.
On exit poll predictions, Aam Aadmi Party national spokesperson Anurag Dhanda said in a social media post that the exit polls are fixed. “If you look at it historically, AAP doesn’t come to power in surveys but forms the government eventually… We are encouraged by the voting percentage, which is close to 67% of 2015,” Indian Express quoted him as saying.
Polling for all 70 Assembly seats concluded today, with a voter turnout of 57.70% as of 5 p.m., according to the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer. Mustafabad recorded the highest voter turnout at 66.68%, while Karol Bagh witnessed the lowest with 47.5%. Counting of votes is scheduled for February 8.
Exit Poll Projections:
| Poll Agency | BJP (Likely Seats) | AAP (Likely Seats) | Congress (Likely Seats) |
| Chanakya Strategies | 39-44 | 25-28 | 2-3 |
| Matrize | 35-40 | 32-37 | 0-1 |
| P-Marq | 39-44 | 21-31 | 0-1 |
| People’s Pulse | 51-60 | 10-18 | 0-1 |
| People’s Insight | 40-44 | 25-28 | 0-1 |
| Poll Diary | 42-50 | 18-25 | 0-2 |
| JVC | 39-45 | 22-31 | 0-2 |
Among the pollsters, People’s Pulse gave the BJP its most optimistic projection, predicting a sweep with 51 to 60 seats. Matrize and P-Marq, however, forecast a closer contest, with AAP projected to secure between 21 and 37 seats. Across the board, the Congress was seen as a marginal player, with most surveys predicting no significant gains.
Exit polls in Delhi have historically shown mixed accuracy. In 2013, they underestimated the AAP's strength, while in 2015 and 2020, they failed to predict the extent of AAP’s sweeping victories. Notably, in 2015, exit polls projected 45 seats for AAP, but the party secured 67. The 2020 predictions showed improved accuracy, closely mirroring AAP’s 62-seat win.
With 699 candidates in the fray, the polls saw participation from all major political parties, including the BJP (68 candidates), AAP (70 candidates), and Congress (70 candidates).
The Delhi government declared a paid holiday for government and private sector employees on polling day. Neighboring states Uttar Pradesh and Haryana also declared holidays in light of the election.
