AAP sweeps Congress out of the capital

A beaming Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal termed his and his party's phenomenal success in the Delhi assembly polls as the people's victory.

Contesting from the New Delhi constituency, considered a Congress pocket burough, Kejriwal fought against three-time Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijender Gupta.

The AAP leader got 44,269 votes, defeating Dikshit who got 18,405 votes. BJP's Gupta came in a close third with 17,952 votes.

"This election showed the way for honest politics. This is an indication that if the Congress and BJP don't change, they will be removed," he said this evening as his supporters brandished brooms, the symbol of his one-year-old Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

The giant slayer: Arvind Kejriwal is all smiles after he won against Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit. After a morning of meditation, Kejriwal rejoiced over his party's brilliant debut.

He congratulated the BJP and its chief ministerial candidate Harsh Vardhan for coming on top with 32 seats -- four short of amajority.

He vowed that his party would be a ‘responsible opposition' in Delhi. Voters mercilessly spurned Dikshit and her party. The BJP emerged as the winner with with 33 seats.

It's broom power: Supporters of the Aam Aadmi Party hold brooms, the party symbol, in the air as they celebrate outside the AAP office. Pics/AFP

The symmetrically stellar performances of Kejriwal and his AAP have stumped the Congress and the BJP, who repeatedly dismissed the new organisation as an upstart throughout the campaign for Delhi. Following her loss, Sheila Dikshit resigned. BJP's Super Sunday

In elections that were seen as a semi final before the 2014 LokSabha battle, the BJP retained Madhya Pradesh and ousted the Congress in Rajasthan. The BJP also retained power in Chhattisgarh to begin a third five-year term.After seven hours of fluctuating fortunes for the BJP and the Congress, a jubilant Chief Minister Raman Singh claimed victory. "It is the people's victory, and the mandate is for development," he said.

The BJP said the verdict dominantly reflected ‘mass anger' against the Congress, which has ruled India since 2004 at the head of a multi-party United Progressive Alliance alliance.

Speaking about their wins, Rajnath Singh said, "BJP got the affection of people because of the popularity of its chief ministerial candidates and our prime ministerial candidate."

In Rajashtan, it was sweet success for Vasundhraraje Scindia,as Congress was delivered its worst ever post- Independence defeat in the state.

After a handsome win in Madhya Pradesh, a smiling Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said it was only in the BJP that an ordinary party worker could become a chief minister.u00a0

26/11 hero adds to AAP tally
Surender Singh, a former NSG commando and part of the team that fought the 26/11 terrorists in Mumbai, was elected to the Delhi assembly on an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ticket yesterday. Singh defeated BJP's Karan Singh Tanwar in the Delhi Cantonment constituency. The Congress finished a poor third. Surender Singh was injured in a grenade explosion during the terror attack on Mumbai by Pakistani terrorists in November 2008. He suffered hearing loss, apart from being hit by several splinters. The ex-commando was discharged from service after a medical board ruled him unfit for service.

Reactions

Rahul Gandhi
Congress Vice-President

The people have sent us a clear message. We have heard it... not just in our minds but in our hearts. The Congress has the ability to stand up to the expectations of the people. We will give you a party you will be proud of, and that has your voice embedded inside.

Smriti Irani
BJP MP
This anti-Congress vote is not only due to its bad policies, corruption, inflation, but also the vote is against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.

Narendra Modi
BJP's prime ministerial candidate

The total number of seats Congress has won in all the four states today (Sunday) cannot even match the seats BJP won in one state. This is a wonderful beginning towards success in our Mission272+ and for fulfilling the dream of a Congress Mukt Bharat.

Omar Abdullah
Jammu and Kashmir CM
Notes to self for 2014 - never underestimate the underdog/newcomer with a fresh face and messageu00a0