Riding high on Modi wave, BJP set for a clean sweep in Delhi

Riding high on the Modi wave, the BJP appeared to be headed for a clean sweep in the national capital with all its candidates bagging more than 50 per cent of votes, while the Congress for the first time in five years fared better than the ruling AAP which was relegated to the third spot.

The BJP's overall performance in the national capital, which witnessed a triangular contest, was miles ahead of its opponents --- the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress.

Even as the counting was underway in all the seven seats till late evening, the BJP had secured more than 56 per cent of votes, more than the combined vote share of the Congress (22.4 per cent) and the AAP (18.4 per cent).

The BJP had bagged 46.4 per cent votes in 2014.

The BJP led in all seven seats since the commencement of counting at 8 am. Celebrations began outside counting by noon as many BJP candidates were well ahead in the race.

Wearing NaMo T-shirts and saffron scarves, BJP supporters started bursting fire crackers, shouting pro-Narendra Modi slogans outside the counting stations.

"We were not expecting to win with such a huge margin. I am thankful to the people of my constituency for showering so much love on us," said Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari, who was ahead of his opponent and former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit by over three lakh votes.

Commenting on the AAP's performance in the polls, Tiwari said,"Arvind Kejriwal's negativity depressed the voters which was reflected in poor standing of his party in the polls. Kejriwal came like a storm (in the political scene of Delhi) and vanished like tsunami."