MCD election results: Six things to watch out for on counting day

The results of the municipal elections to be declared on Wednesday are likely to have a wider impact on city’s politics. While the BJP is looking at continuing its winning streak, AAP may struggle to keep its charm alive in its own bastion. Meanwhile, the Congress is hoping for a fresh lease of life in Delhi.

Here are a few things you should look out for as the mystery unfolds.

WILL AAP BUCK EXIT POLL?

Though the exit polls have predicted a rout for the Aam Aadmi Party in the municipal elections, the party leaders have been claiming a different result.

In an internal pre-poll survey, which was made public three days ahead of the polls, the AAP had claimed to win 218 of the 272 seats across the three municipal corporations. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has underlined that none but “faulty EVMs” could be the only reason if the exit polls prove to be true.

WILL BJP CARRY FORWARD MODI WAVE?

The party is facing a decade-long anti-incumbency in the municipal corporations. The pollsters have predicted that the party is all set to return to power in north, south and east Delhi municipal corporations with a clear majority.

If it wins, as predicted, it will be huge turn around for the party from 2015 when it was routed by AAP in the Delhi assembly elections when it won only three seats in 70-member house.

CONGRESS VOTESHARE?

As the grand-old party attempts to make a revival in the city politics after drawing a naught in the 2015 assembly elections, the party’s vote share, increase or decrease, will be a manifestation of the relevance the party would hold in city politics.

In an encouraging trend, the party’s vote share in Rajouri Garden assembly bypoll increased to 33 % as it emerged second to the BJP.

WILL SWARAJ INDIA OPEN ITS ACCOUNT?

This is the first electoral test for the Swaraj India, formed by former AAP leaders Yogendra Yadav and senior advocate Prashant Bhushan after their expulsion from the party. The party had fielded candidates on all 272 wards, but 20 candidates went out of the race as their nominations were cancelled.

WILL TRIFURCATED MCD FINALLY BE SPLIT?

This is the second municipal election after the municipal corporation of Delhi was trifurcated in 2012. In April 2012 civic polls, the BJP got majority in North and East Delhi municipal corporations even as it emerged as the single largest party in South MCD. It formed the government with help of independents and members of other parties.

In 2017, AAP is one of the major players. Will the different parts of the city chose a different party?

WILL IT BE THE ENDGAME FOR BSP IN DELHI POLITICS?

Before the advent of AAP, Bahujan Samaj Party was an important player in Delhi politics. In 2012 civic polls, the party won in 12 municipal seats, besides garnering 9.98% vote share. The party recently had a huge setback in its home turf Uttar Pradesh. However, the party has fielded candidates in all 272 seats.