Kejriwal loses to BJP's Parvesh Verma in New Delhi
What's the story
Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Arvind Kejriwal has lost his re-election bid to Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Parvesh Verma in New Delhi seat.
According to Election Commission data, Kejriwal lost by 3,000 votes. Verma received a total of 25,057 votes, while Kejriwal's stands at 22,057 votes.
Congress candidate Sandeep Dikshit conceded defeat.
Election update
Kejriwal seeks 4th term, Dikshit concedes defeat
Kejriwal was eyeing his fourth consecutive term from the New Delhi assembly seat, which he has held since 2013.
He had previously defeated Congress veteran Sheila Dikshit and held on to the seat against BJP candidates.
However, this election is a new challenge for the AAP as it trails in most Delhi constituencies.
Ahead of the election, Kejriwal had boasted that his party will win over 55 of the 70 seats.
Satyender Jain
Satyendar Jain lost Shakur Basti's seat
Former Delhi minister and AAP leader Satyendar Jain also lost Shakur Basti's seat to BJP candidate Karnail Singh by 20,998 votes.
Singh received 56,869 votes, while Jain received 20,998 votes.
Jain, like Kejriwal and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, was involved in the Delhi Excise policy case.
Sisodia conceded his defeat in Delhi's Jangpura constituency. BJP candidate Tarvinder Singh Marwah won the seat.
Election trends
BJP leads in Delhi, AAP trails behind
The BJP is leading in 46 out of 70 assembly constituencies, while AAP is ahead in just 24 seats.
Dikshit has accepted the trends, saying "As of now, it seems that they (BJP) will form the government."
New Delhi constituency is crucial as it comes under the larger New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency where BJP's Bansuri Swaraj won decisively in 2024 general elections.
Election history
Historical wins and current challenges in Delhi elections
Historically, the Congress has won the New Delhi assembly seat four times since 1977, while the AAP has claimed victory thrice.
The vote counting, which began at 8:00am will decide if AAP gets a fourth consecutive term or if BJP returns to power after over 26 years.
The majority mark to form a government in Delhi is set at 36 seats.