'Confident' BJP says will form govt. with clear majority

The Bharatiya Janata Party, which is locked in a close contest with Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), on Saturday expressed confidence of forming the government in Delhi with a clear majority.

BJP leader Jagdish Mukhi, who cast his vote in the Janakpuri Assembly constituency, said the early trend suggests that the people have supported his party this time.

"From the trend and observation in the polling booth, it is clear that the people of Delhi have supported the Bharatiya Janata Party. And I believe that the BJP will form the government in Delhi with clear majority," Mukhi told the media here.

Another BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi echoing similar sentiments said that her party would win with full majority and form the government in Delhi.

"We are going to get full majority," she said while hitting out at the AAP for running away from its responsibilities in Delhi.

"People will see through this movement and the BJP definitely will be voted," she added.

Kejriwal had resigned after 49 days in office, which led to the imposition of central rule and eventually the fresh elections being held today.

Polling for the 70-member Delhi assembly began at 8 a.m. amid tight security. Around 20 percent voting turnout was recorded till 11.00 a.m. According to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi, all arrangements are in place to ensure free and fair polling.

About 55,000 police personnel have been deployed to ensure hassle free voting. The police will also undertake patrolling in different parts of the capital to prevent the distribution of liquor, money or any other allurements.

Over 1.33 crore electorate will decide the fate of 673 candidates.

The polling is presently on at 12,177 polling stations. Of these, 714 have been declared as critical and 191 as highly critical. Voting will continue till 6 p.m. in the evening.