After 27 years, Modi’s party wins polls in Delhi

KABUL (Pajhwok): India’s ruling party won elections in New Delhi for the first time in 27 years, in a boost after losing its national majority last year.

Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) bagged 48 seats in the capital territory’s 70-member assembly.

Citing figures from the Indian Election Commission, CNN reported the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of Arvind Kejriwal won only 22 seats.

In a post on X, Modi wrote: “Development wins, good governance triumphs. I bow to my dear sisters and brothers of Delhi for this resounding and historic mandate.”

Home to around 20 million people, Delhi is beset by issues like access to housing and high levels of air pollution.

Ruling much of India over the past decade, the Hindu nationalist party last held power in the sprawling capital in 1998.

The capital has been governed by the AAP, -- known for its campaign against corruption -- since 2015.

PAN Monitor/mud