Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi shared a message urging all voters to participate fully in this “festival of democracy.” He wrote, “In today’s Delhi Assembly elections, votes will be cast for all seats. I urge the voters here to participate in this festival of democracy with full enthusiasm and make sure to cast their valuable vote.”

Modi further extended special wishes to young voters, particularly first-time voters, advising them humorously, “First vote, then refreshments!” The message underscored the significance of each vote, especially for the younger generation stepping into the electoral process for the first time.

With polling underway from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm today, Delhi has 1,56,14,000 registered voters. The electorate includes 83,76,173 males, 72,36,560 females, 1,267 third-gender voters, and 2,39,905 first-time voters. Additionally, 1,09,368 elderly voters aged 85 and above and 79,885 persons with disabilities are also part of the voter list.

The security measures for the election are extensive, with around 97,955 personnel and 8,715 volunteers deployed. This includes 220 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), 19,000 Home Guards, and 35,626 Delhi Police personnel. These arrangements ensure that the polling process proceeds peacefully and securely.

To ensure inclusivity, 70 polling stations are being run exclusively by women staff, another 70 by persons with disabilities, and 70 more to encourage youth participation. Additionally, voters can track crowd levels in real-time through the “Delhi Election – 2025 QMS” app available on Google Play Store. On-site medical teams and creche facilities for parents with young children are also in place.

Polling stations are color-coded for easy identification, and voters can contact the helpline number (1950) for assistance with finding their designated booths and resolving any election-related queries.

Prime Minister Modi’s appeal was echoed by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who also took to social media, urging voters to “First vote, then refreshments!” He emphasized the importance of casting votes wisely, calling it a critical act in shaping Delhi’s future and strengthening democracy.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seeks a third consecutive term, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under Modi’s leadership, is aiming to regain control of the Delhi Assembly. The BJP has targeted AAP over issues like Yamuna water and corruption, while Congress, through Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, has accused AAP of mismanaging Delhi’s infrastructure.

On the eve of voting, Chief Electoral Officer R Alice Vaz also appealed to voters, highlighting voting as both a right and a civic duty. “On the day of voting, February 5th, I urge all voters in Delhi to come out in large numbers and cast their votes. It is our foremost responsibility as citizens to participate in this democratic process,” she said.

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Voting began at 7:00 am and will continue until 6:00 pm, with officials making special arrangements to facilitate a peaceful process. Delhi has 1,56,14,000 registered voters, including 83,76,173 males, 72,36,560 females, and 1,267 third-gender voters. Additionally, there are 2,39,905 first-time voters aged 18-19, 1,09,368 elderly voters aged 85 and above, and 79,885 voters with disabilities.

To support the election, a total of 97,955 personnel and 8,715 volunteers have been deployed. Security is being reinforced by 220 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), 19,000 Home Guards, and 35,626 Delhi Police personnel.

In an effort to promote inclusivity, 70 polling stations will be managed exclusively by female staff, while another 70 will be operated entirely by persons with disabilities. Additionally, 70 stations have been designated to encourage youth participation. Voters can also track crowd levels in real-time through the “Delhi Election – 2025 QMS” app, available on Google Play Store. Medical teams and creche facilities will be on-site to cater to emergency needs and parents with children.

To further assist voters, polling stations are color-coded for easy identification, and a helpline number (1950) has been set up to resolve any election-related queries.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is striving for a third consecutive term, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making a strong effort to regain control. The BJP’s campaign, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has targeted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on issues such as Yamuna water pollution and corruption. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have also held rallies, accusing AAP of damaging Delhi’s infrastructure.

On the eve of voting, Chief Electoral Officer R Alice Vaz appealed to all eligible voters, urging them to participate in the democratic process: “I encourage everyone to come out and vote; it is both a right and a responsibility.”

However, the silent period preceding the election was marked by some controversy. The BJP filed a complaint alleging that AAP workers were causing disturbances and could potentially influence voters. A social media video showing an AAP worker holding a weapon was also widely circulated, sparking concerns.

Prominent Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Sandeep Dikshit, were seen casting their votes at various polling stations. Union Minister Hardeep Puri and BJP leader Lakshmi Puri also participated in the voting process.

In a related development, AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi met with the Election Commissioner to discuss concerns over violence and hooliganism during the silent period.

Contested constituencies such as New Delhi, Jangpura, and Kalkaji are drawing significant attention. AAP currently holds more than 60 of the 70 assembly seats and is seeking re-election based on its performance.

The New Delhi seat is set for a high-profile three-way contest between AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal, BJP’s Parvesh Verma, and Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit. In Kalkaji, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi (AAP) faces competition from Congress’s Alka Lamba and BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri. Meanwhile, the Jangpura constituency features a battle between AAP’s Manish Sisodia, Congress’s Farhad Suri, and BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah.

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The mock polling started at 6:00 am at multiple locations, including Mayur Vihar Phase 1 in the Patparganj Assembly constituency and Nirman Bhawan in the New Delhi Assembly constituency.

The official voting will take place today from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm for the 70 Assembly constituencies in Delhi. “I urge all Delhi residents to come forward and vote. We have made extensive arrangements at polling stations to make sure the process is comfortable for all voters,” said Delhi Chief Electoral Officer R Alice Vaz.

With 1,56,14,000 registered voters in total, Delhi’s electorate consists of 83,76,173 males, 72,36,560 females, and 1,267 third-gender voters. Additionally, 2,39,905 first-time voters aged 18-19, 1,09,368 senior citizens aged 85 and above, and 79,885 voters with disabilities are part of the electorate.

To ensure a smooth election process, over 97,955 personnel and 8,715 volunteers have been deployed across the city. Security measures include 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), 19,000 Home Guards, and 35,626 Delhi Police personnel, all dedicated to ensuring peaceful polling.

For greater inclusivity, 70 polling stations will be managed entirely by women, while another 70 will be run by persons with disabilities. Additionally, 70 stations have been set up to promote youth participation.

An AI-based Queue Management System app, “Delhi Election – 2025 QMS,” available on the Google Play Store, helps voters monitor real-time crowd levels at polling stations. Emergency medical teams will be available, and creche facilities are offered for parents with young children.

The polling stations will also be color-coded for easy identification, and voters can contact the helpline (1950) for assistance with booth locations and election-related queries.

Hotly contested constituencies include New Delhi, Jangpura, and Kalkaji. The AAP, which currently holds more than 60 seats in the 70-seat Delhi Assembly, seeks re-election based on its performance in previous terms.

The New Delhi seat features a high-profile three-way race between AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal, BJP’s Parvesh Verma, and Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit, the son of former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit.

In Kalkaji, incumbent Delhi Chief Minister Atishi (AAP) faces off against Congress’s Alka Lamba and BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri. Meanwhile, Jangpura will see AAP’s Manish Sisodia contesting against Congress’s Farhad Suri and BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah.

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Jaishankar highlighted his discomfort in discussing Delhi’s shortcomings abroad, revealing that he feels embarrassed to admit that citizens lack access to basic necessities. He criticized the city’s infrastructure and alleged that the AAP government had neglected its responsibilities for the past decade.

The Union Minister’s comments come amid growing discontent in the city, as Delhi is set to vote on February 5 in a fiercely contested election between the AAP, BJP, and Congress. BJP leaders, including Amit Shah and Anurag Thakur, have echoed similar accusations, claiming AAP’s governance is marred by corruption and unfulfilled promises.

As the elections approach, the battle for Delhi’s 70 Assembly seats intensifies, with all three major parties engaged in high-octane campaigns.

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Kejriwal requested protection for AAP volunteers and called for the suspension of police officials who allegedly failed to prevent these attacks. He claimed that BJP workers and Delhi Police were harassing and intimidating AAP volunteers in the constituency.

In the letter, Kejriwal detailed an incident where AAP volunteer Chetan was unlawfully detained and physically abused by police. Kejriwal accused BJP members of using violence to disrupt AAP’s election campaign and called for their arrest.

The AAP chief also posted a video on social media, alleging that BJP goons were attacking AAP workers to stop their campaigning. He emphasized that the people of Delhi would reject violence and choose AAP in the upcoming elections.

The New Delhi constituency, where Kejriwal is contesting against BJP’s Parvesh Verma and Congress’ Sandeep Dikshit, is a high-stakes battleground. Kejriwal has won the seat in previous elections by significant margins, but the competition is expected to be intense.

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The BJP, which secured 303 seats in the Lok Sabha in 2019, saw its numbers drop to 240 in 2024, forcing it to rely on coalition partners to form the government for a third term. Party leaders believe this setback was due, in part, to voter apathy among the salaried middle class, which had expressed frustration over rising costs and stagnant disposable income.

A senior BJP functionary noted that while the Opposition’s “false campaign” on constitutional issues impacted the elections, middle-class discontent also played a role. “Many salaried individuals felt they had less money in hand, but under PM Modi’s leadership, this concern has now been addressed. The party has shown it listens to the people,” the leader said.

In Bihar, where elections are scheduled for later this year, the budget included multiple infrastructure and employment initiatives aimed at boosting the BJP’s coalition government with the Janata Dal (United). Though no specific schemes were introduced for Delhi due to the ongoing model code of conduct, the increased tax exemption limit of ₹12 lakh is expected to appeal to the city’s large salaried workforce.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the budget as a “people’s budget,” while BJP leaders emphasized that it reflected the party’s attentiveness to public sentiment. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and BJP’s grassroots cadres had repeatedly flagged concerns over inflation and rising costs, pushing for tax relief as a crucial step toward easing middle-class financial strain.

“In the last decade, policies focused on infrastructure, employment generation, and economic growth. However, there was growing dissatisfaction among middle-class voters, who felt overlooked in favor of schemes for the poor, youth, farmers, and women,” said a BJP leader.

A Lokniti-CSDS study in 2024 revealed that BJP’s support among middle and upper-middle-class voters declined from 38% in 2019 to 35% in 2024. This data reinforced the need for policy adjustments to win back this crucial segment of the electorate.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah echoed this sentiment, stating, “The middle class is always in PM Modi’s heart. The zero-income tax policy for incomes up to ₹12 lakh will greatly enhance their financial well-being.”

Another BJP leader highlighted the necessity of balancing welfare policies for lower-income groups with measures that benefit the middle class. “Free rations, medical care, and LPG subsidies expanded our support base, but the middle class felt neglected. While they make up 20-30% of voters, their influence is significant. The 2004 elections showed how a dissatisfied middle class could impact outcomes,” the leader said.

Organizations affiliated with the RSS played a pivotal role in shaping the budget, communicating key concerns from various labor unions, MSME groups, and farmer collectives. These groups emphasized tax simplification, gig worker insurance, expanded agricultural support, and policies promoting domestic manufacturing under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

An RSS official acknowledged the government’s responsiveness to these demands. “We conveyed the ground reality—there was a strong call for tax restructuring and middle-class benefits. It is encouraging to see these issues addressed in the budget,” he said.

As assembly elections in Delhi and Bihar approach, the BJP is betting on its middle-class tax relief measures to rebuild voter confidence and strengthen its political standing in key states. Whether this strategy translates into electoral gains remains to be seen.

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Manoj Varshney, a travel agency owner in Delhi, believes this decision will stimulate economic activity. “The middle-class will now have more disposable income, which they will likely spend on travel, shopping, and dining out. This will, in turn, boost various sectors of the economy,” he said.

Beyond financial implications, political analysts suggest that this tax relief could influence the upcoming Delhi assembly elections. The BJP has historically been the preferred choice of the middle-class, and this budget announcement may reinforce that loyalty. Some believe it will also encourage higher voter turnout among Gen Z and millennials, who form a significant part of this demographic.

Delhi has one of the highest concentrations of taxpayers in the country, and according to data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), it also has a substantial proportion of salaried workers. This makes the budget’s tax relief particularly relevant for the city. Political experts argue that while this move could help BJP consolidate its support among the middle-class, it may not drastically alter the overall electoral outcome, as lower-income groups remain a major voting bloc in Delhi.

BS Vohra, president of the East Delhi RWAs Joint Front, emphasized the widespread impact of the tax relief. “Even households earning above ₹12 lakh will feel the effect because nearly every family has at least one member in this bracket. The additional income will provide financial breathing room for many families,” he said.

The budget announcement has also shifted the focus of the Delhi elections, which had been largely dominated by debates on welfare schemes and free services. With elections scheduled for February 5, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is seeking a third consecutive term, while the BJP is hoping to capitalize on voter dissatisfaction with the current administration. The Congress, aiming to regain relevance after poor performances in the last two assembly elections, has yet to make significant inroads.

Praffulit Bisht, an assistant professor at Miranda House, believes the tax announcement could reshape public perception. “There has been a sentiment that the Centre has ignored the middle-class for too long. This budget shows that their concerns are finally being addressed,” he said.

Ashwini Marwah, general secretary of the Lajpat Nagar Traders’ Association, noted that middle-class voters have traditionally been overlooked in the race for votes. “This budget sends a clear message that the government values the middle-class, not just in Delhi but across India. However, whether this translates into electoral gains for the BJP remains to be seen,” he said.

Alka Kapoor, principal of Modern Public School in Shalimar Bagh, echoed similar sentiments. “For too long, the middle-class has been neglected in policymaking. Any move that eases our financial burden is welcome. This tax relief will benefit not just individuals but entire families,” she said.

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva praised the budget, stating that it aligns with the aspirations of salaried professionals and young urban workers. “By increasing the income tax relief limit to ₹12 lakh, the Modi government has empowered the middle-class like never before,” he said.

A senior BJP leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that the party already has a strong presence among the middle and upper-income groups. “This budget further strengthens our position. Along with the upcoming eighth pay commission, these measures will help us consolidate our base,” he said.

The Aam Aadmi Party, which had earlier advocated for a tax rebate up to ₹10 lakh, argued that the budget did not go far enough. AAP leader Sanjay Singh questioned the lack of relief for small business owners. “This budget favors salaried individuals, but what about small and medium business owners? Where is their relief?” he asked.

Political analyst Sajjan Kumar Singh of PRACCIS highlighted the economic divide in Delhi’s electorate. “The middle-class has always leaned towards the BJP, and this budget will likely reinforce that trend. However, Delhi’s largest voting bloc consists of lower-middle-class and working-class voters. While the BJP may gain in vote share, achieving a clear majority could still be a challenge,” he said.

As Delhi prepares for the upcoming elections, the tax relief announced in the budget is likely to remain a major talking point. Whether it translates into electoral gains for the BJP or simply reinforces existing loyalties remains to be seen.

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