Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal has lost the New Delhi constituency, a seat that has been a stronghold for the party over the last decade.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma emerged victorious, securing 28,448 votes.
In the early trends, BJP's Parvesh Sahib Singh led with AAP's Arvind Kejriwal trailing by 74 votes. Congress' Sandeep Dikshit was in third place, behind by a margin of 1,868 votes, according to data from the Election Commission at 9:30 am. However, by 9:45 am, after the second round of counting, Kejriwal reversed the trend, leading by a margin of 254 votes against Singh, while Dikshit trailed by 3,937 votes.
The contest remained close, with each candidate overtaking the other after each round of counting. Ultimately, Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma secured the New Delhi seat with a margin of 3,865 votes against the former chief minister
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Notably, the candidate elected from this seat has often ascended to the position of chief minister of Delhi. In 2013, Kejriwal, a political rookie, defeated the sitting Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, ending her 15-year rule in the national capital. He again won the seat in 2015 and 2020 with substantial margins.
This time, Kejriwal faces challenge from the sons of two former chief ministers of Delhi.
The BJP has fielded Parvesh Verma, the son of former Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma, from New Delhi seat. Parvesh Verma has previously served as a Member of Parliament and is known for his active participation in Delhi's political landscape.
The Congress has nominated Sandeep Dikshit, son of former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, for the New Delhi seat. Dikshit has a background in public service and is expected to bring his experience to the electoral contest.
Exit poll predictions
Most exit polls suggested the BJP holding an edge over AAP, which has ruled Delhi since 2015. A poll of polls of five major agencies indicates the BJP securing 38-43 seats, while the AAP is projected to win 26-32 seats. The Congress, which governed Delhi for 15 years under Sheila Dikshit, is expected to remain a marginal player, with 0-1 seats.

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