"Battle of truth versus lies, people will defeat hooliganism": Delhi CM Atishi

Delhi CM Atishi also offered prayers at Kalkaji Temple ahead of exercising her electoral franchise.

Speaking to reporters, Atishi said, "In this battle of truth versus lies, I hope the people of Delhi will stand with the truth, work and defeat hooliganism."

She further accused Delhi Police of "working for BJP." Expressing her confidence, Atishi stated that she is confident that the people will vote for the ones who work and not for the "goons".

"This election in Delhi is not just an election, this is a Dharmyuddh'. This is a fight between the good and bad...On one side, there are educated people who are working for development and on the other side, there are people who are doing hooliganism. I am confident that the people will vote for the ones who work and not for the goons...Delhi Police is openly working for the BJP..." Atishi said.

Atishi is in the electoral fray against former AAP leader and Congress candidate Alka Lamba and BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri from the Kalkaji seat.

Earlier today, Atishi urged the voters to cast their ballots in the assembly polls that are underway in the national capital.

In a post on X, Atishi asserted that the Delhi election is not just an election, but a "Dharam Yuddh".

"Today's election in Delhi is not just an election, it is a Dharam Yuddh (religious war). This is a battle between good and evil. It's a battle between work and hooliganism. I appeal to all the people of Delhi to cast their vote. Vote for work, vote for goodness. Truth will prevail," she said.

These elections are high-stakes elections for AAP, BJP and Congress, as, AAP is hoping for retaining its power for the third term while the BJP is eyeing to regain power after almost 27 years.

Congress which once ruled the state for 15 years has struggled to claim even a seat in the 2015 and 2020 elections. In this election, the party is hoping for a return.

Polling for 70 assembly seats began on Wednesday morning in Delhi, as voters cast their ballots for the 8th Assembly amid tight security.

Voting commenced at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm, officials said.

Hotly contested constituencies include New Delhi, Jangpura, Kalkaji, Ohkla, Mustafabad, Bijwasan, Kasturba Nagar, Greater Kailash, Patparganj, etc.

AAP, which currently holds more than 60 seats in the 70-seat assembly, seeks re-election based on its previous terms' achievements.

The New Delhi seat sees a high-profile three-way contest with former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal (AAP), BJP's Parvesh Verma, and Congress's Sandeep Dikshit (son of former CM Sheila Dikshit).

Jangpura sees a contest between AAP's Manish Sisodia, Congress's Farhad Suri, and BJP's Tarvinder Singh Marwah.

A total of 699 candidates is in the electoral fray on the 70 assembly constituency seats of the national capital.

Delhi has 1,56,14,000 registered voters, including 83,76,173 males, 72,36,560 females, and 1,267 third-gender voters. The electorate also includes 2,39,905 first-time voters aged 18-19, 1,09,368 elderly voters aged 85 and above, and 79,885 persons with disabilities. (ANI)