"Muslims can claim rights, raise questions if they vote for BJP": AlIA president Moulana Sajid Rashidi

"If Muslims vote for the BJP - we can claim our rights, and we can raise questions against the BJP if they do something against us. Otherwise, parties say that if you don't vote for us, why would we talk about you," Rashidi told ANI.

The AIIA chief said that he voted for the BJP to put an end to fears being instilled among Muslims that their rights will be snatched if the BJP comes to power. Rashidi said that fear remains "because of the statements made by some BJP leaders, but more than it was the opposition parties that are trying to scare Muslims."

"I have voted for the BJP (in Delhi elections) and made my video viral as fear is induced in Muslims in the name of BJP. It is planted in the minds of the Muslims that defeat the BJP otherwise, if they come to power - the rights of Muslims will be snatched. I voted (for the BJP) to remove that fear from the minds of the Muslims," Rashidi said.

Rashidi says that the fear Muslims have is that BJP will oust them from the country, which is impossible. He said that he has been receiving threats but his only intention was to remove such fears from the minds of Muslims.

"I have neither joined the BJP nor I have surrendered before them. There are cases against me. I still talk against the Modi government's policies. I want to put an end to the fear that Muslims have, which is that the BJP will oust Muslims from the country. To oust crores of people from the country is impossible. My only intention is to remove that fear from the hearts and minds of Muslims," Rashidi said.

Exit poll predictions varied on the margin of BJP's victory. One poll predicted the BJP could win 51-60 out of 70 assembly seats, while two polls forecast an AAP victory. The exit polls were released after the conclusion of voting on Wednesday.

Delhi recorded a voter turnout of 60.42 per cent in the high-stakes assembly elections on Wednesday, according to data from the Election Commission of India.

The polls, which saw intense competition, concluded with active participation of voters across all 70 constituencies.

As per the ECI data, among the eleven districts, North East recorded the highest voter turnout at 66.25 per cent, while South East had the lowest at 56.16 per cent.

Other districts' turnout percentages were - Central district (59.09 per cent), East district (62. 37 per cent), New Delhi district (57.13 per cent), North district (59.55 per cent), North West district (60.07 per cent), Shahdara district (63. 94 per cent), South district (58.16 per cent) South-West district (61. 07 per cent) and West district (60. 76 per cent).

The Election Commission is set to declare the final results on February 8. (ANI)