'Shocked' AAP behaving like goons: BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is threatening people and behaving like goons to get votes, adding that the latter was shocked to see the kind of support the saffron party was getting in the Delhi Assembly elections.

"AAP is shocked over the support the BJP is getting. All AAP does is complain and accuse people. They have threatened people to hurl bombs on the society. These threats and 'gunda' tactics are not going to help. The public mood in Delhi has changed and we are sure that the BJP will come out in large numbers," said BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao

Earlier in the day, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP of distributing alcohol and cash to influence voters.

"Please don't vote for people who distribute alcohol and cash. Please don't vote for people who forget their promises after the elections are over," he said.

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 35 percent voting turnout was recorded till 1.00 p.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.