Delhi Polls: President Murmu, Rahul Gandhi, LG Saxena, Atishi, others cast their votes

Delhi Polls: President Droupadi Murmu, Union Ministers S. Jaishankar and Hardeep Singh Puri, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi were among the early voters as polling for the Delhi Assembly elections commenced on Wednesday.

Several other prominent figures, including Lieutenant Governor V. K. Saxena, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, AAP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, and Delhi Chief Electoral Officer R. Alice Vaz, also exercised their franchise early in the day.

Candidates from key constituencies—AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj (Greater Kailash), BJP’s Kapil Mishra (Karawal Nagar), Congress’ Sandeep Dikshit (New Delhi), and Alka Lamba (Kalkaji)—cast their votes soon after polling began at 7 am.

Other notable leaders who voted included BJP candidate Parvesh Verma, BJP Delhi spokesperson Yaser Gilani, AAP’s Gopal Rai (Babarpur), Union Minister Harsh Malhotra, BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi, Congress leader Ajay Maken, Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, Congress candidate Abhishek Dutt (Kasturba Nagar), and BJP’s National General Secretary (Organisation) B. L. Santhosh.

Leaders Appeal to Voters

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged Delhiites to vote for change, posting on X: “My dear brothers and sisters of Delhi, I appeal to all of you to go and vote today. Every vote for Congress will protect your rights, strengthen the Constitution, and put Delhi back on the path of progress. While voting, remember who is responsible for polluted air, dirty water, broken roads, and the biggest scam in Delhi while talking about clean politics.”

Congress’ Alka Lamba, contesting from Kalkaji, also posted on X: “I went to the polling booth with my father and exercised my right to vote! The people of Delhi are requested to come out of their homes and participate in this great festival of democracy!”

After casting his vote, LG V. K. Saxena said, “It is a festival of democracy. I appeal to all Delhiites to participate. Today is a day of duty, not a holiday.”

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, another early voter, remarked, “I have always been an early voter, a Delhi voter. The people are in a mood for change.”

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, the AAP candidate from Kalkaji, visited the Kalkaji temple before voting and described the election as “a battle between good and evil, work and hooliganism.”

Also Read: Delhi Elections: “Not just a poll but a Dharam Yuddh”, says Atishi

AAP leader Manish Sisodia, contesting from Jangpura, urged voters to support a better future. “I have cast my vote for a better Delhi and a better life for its people. I appeal to voters to choose better education, healthcare, and other essential facilities,” he said.

With around 1.56 crore eligible voters, Delhi is witnessing a triangular contest between the ruling AAP, the BJP, and the Congress. While AAP seeks a third consecutive term, the BJP and Congress aim for a resurgence in the national capital.

Polling is underway at 13,766 stations across Delhi’s 70 assembly constituencies to decide the fate of 699 candidates. The results will be declared on February 8.