NEW DELHI: Followers of an upstart Indian political party danced in the streets on Tuesday (Feb 11) after inflicting a crushing defeat on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's right-wing party in a key election in the capital.
The poll was the first electoral test for Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party after it passed a controversial nationality law which opponents say is anti-Muslim.
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Aam Aadmi Party supporters cavorted to bhangra music and set off fireworks as the vote count showed they had crossed the 36 seats needed to secure a majority in the 70-seat regional assembly.
Hindu-nationalist Modi, whose party swept to power in national elections last year, congratulated AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, the incumbent Delhi chief minister.
"Wishing them the very best in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Delhi," Modi tweeted.
Congratulations to AAP and Shri @ArvindKejriwal Ji for the victory in the Delhi Assembly Elections. Wishing them the very best in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Delhi.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 11, 2020
The BJP had launched an aggressive campaign to win the city of nearly 20 million people from the AAP, using the election to rally support for the law easing citizenship rules for religious minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, but excluding Muslims.
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At least 25 people have been killed in protests over the legislation so far.
But the AAP, which swept to power in 2015 after it was launched three years earlier by former tax officer Kejriwal, retained control in an impressive showing.
The defeat in Delhi is the latest in a string of setbacks for the BJP at regional elections over the past two years.
Kejriwal, 51, fought the election on local issues such as subsidised water and electricity, as well as the safety of women.
"This win has given birth to a new type of politics – the politics of work," he toldRead More – Source
NEW DELHI: Followers of an upstart Indian political party danced in the streets on Tuesday (Feb 11) after inflicting a crushing defeat on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's right-wing party in a key election in the capital.
The poll was the first electoral test for Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party after it passed a controversial nationality law which opponents say is anti-Muslim.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Aam Aadmi Party supporters cavorted to bhangra music and set off fireworks as the vote count showed they had crossed the 36 seats needed to secure a majority in the 70-seat regional assembly.
Hindu-nationalist Modi, whose party swept to power in national elections last year, congratulated AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, the incumbent Delhi chief minister.
"Wishing them the very best in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Delhi," Modi tweeted.
Congratulations to AAP and Shri @ArvindKejriwal Ji for the victory in the Delhi Assembly Elections. Wishing them the very best in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Delhi.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 11, 2020
The BJP had launched an aggressive campaign to win the city of nearly 20 million people from the AAP, using the election to rally support for the law easing citizenship rules for religious minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, but excluding Muslims.
Advertisement
Advertisement
At least 25 people have been killed in protests over the legislation so far.
But the AAP, which swept to power in 2015 after it was launched three years earlier by former tax officer Kejriwal, retained control in an impressive showing.
The defeat in Delhi is the latest in a string of setbacks for the BJP at regional elections over the past two years.
Kejriwal, 51, fought the election on local issues such as subsidised water and electricity, as well as the safety of women.
"This win has given birth to a new type of politics – the politics of work," he toldRead More – Source
