Print this article

Delhi polls: Prez Murmu, Jaishankar, Rahul, Atishi vote

February 05, 2025 11:30 IST

President Droupadi Murmu, Union ministers S Jaishankar and Hardeep Singh Puri, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, were among the early voters as polling began for the Delhi assembly elections on Wednesday.

IMAGE: President Droupadi Murmu shows her inked finger after casting her vote at Dr Rajendra Prasad Kendriya Vidyalaya, President's Estate. in New Delhi on Wednesday. Photograph: Courtesy @rashtrapatibhvn/X

Other prominent leaders who came out to cast their vote were Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party president Virendra Sachdeva, Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, and Delhi Chief Electoral Officer R Alice Vaz.

IMAGE: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar casts his vote at a polling booth set up at NDMC School of Science and Humanities, Tughlaq Crescent. Photograph: ANI on X

LG Saxena said after casting his vote, "It is a festival of democracy. I appeal to all Delhiites to participate in this festival. Today is a day of duty, not a holiday."

IMAGE: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, casts his vote at a polling station in Nirman Bhawan. Photograph: ANI on X

AAP's Greater Kailash candidate Saurabh Bharadwaj, BJP's Karawal Nagar candidate Kapil Mishra, Congress' New Delhi candidate Sandeep Dikshit, and Kalkaji candidate Alka Lamba also exercised their franchise soon after voting began at 7 am.

Jaishankar said, "I have always been an early voter, a Delhi voter. The people are in a mood of change."

IMAGE: Delhi CM Atishi casts her vote at a polling booth in Kalkaji. Photograph: ANI on X

Delhi CM and AAP's candidate from Kalkaji, Atishi, offered prayers at the Kalkaji temple ahead of casting her vote.

"This election is a battle between good and evil. This is a battle between work and hooliganism," she said.

IMAGE: Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Vinai Kumar Saxena and his wife Sangita Saxena after casting their votes at a polling booth in St Xavier's School, Raj Niwas Marg. Photograph: ANI on X

I have cast my vote for better Delhi and for better life of people. I appeal to voters to vote for better education, better health, and other facilities,

AAP candidate from Jangpura constituency Manish Sisodia said.

IMAGE: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri along with his wife Lakshmi Puri, joins party workers at the party's help desk outside the polling station in Anand Niketan. Photograph: ANI on X

There are around 1.56 crore eligible voters in the capital, which is witnessing a triangular contest between the ruling AAP, BJP, and Congress.

While the AAP is eyeing a third consecutive term, the BJP and Congress are hoping for a resurgence in Delhi.

IMAGE: AAP Manish Sisodia and his wife Seema Sisodia show their inked finger outside a polling booth at Lady Irwin Senior Secondary School in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI on X

Polling is underway at 13,766 stations across Delhi's 70 assembly constituencies to decide the fate of 699 candidates. The results will be announced on February 8.