The Aam Aadmi Party looks on course to end the BJP's 15-year rule at the Delhi municipal corporation with the latest trends and results putting the party's overall tally past the magic figure of 126.
For the AAP, a clear victory in the MCD elections will be yet another example of its sway over Delhi.
This was the first election after the MCD was reunified earlier this year.
In 2017, the BJP had clinched 181 of the then 270 municipal wards while AAP had won only 48 and the Congress finished third with 30.
The mood at the AAP office here was celebratory with loudspeakers blaring patriotic songs and the entire premises decked up with colourful balloons.
AAP workers, nervous but hopeful, had their eyes glued to LED screens throwing the latest counting trends.
They are also keeping a tab on social media and some of them were seen constantly tweeting as the final touches were being given to the office for celebrating what could be the party's first victory in municipal polls here.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is expected to address people after the results.
The results of this election, largely touted as a three-cornered contest among a spirited AAP, a confident BJP and a hopeful Congress, may have ramifications beyond the national capital.
Stay with this page for the latest Highlights:
LIVE Updates
01:03 Dec 7
As AAP leads, former BJP leader welcomes winning councilors to BJP
Former BJP leader MS Sirsa said that final results will come in the favour of BJP. MCD Mayor will be definitely from the BJP. Will welcome the winning councillors in BJP.#MCDElectionResult2022 @TheMornStandard@santwana99 @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/bhLvbToLzW
— Anup Verma (@JournoAnup) December 7, 2022
12:59 Dec 7
AAP in celebration mode after winning over 90 seats
12:20 Dec 7
AAP inches closer to win
AAP workers dance and celebrate at the party office in Delhi as the party wins 78 seats and leads on 56 others as per the official trends. (Photo | Parveen Negi, EPS)
12:12 Dec 7
Counting underway: AAP wins 75 seats, BJP follows with 55
11:40 Dec 7
MCD to have first transgender member
11:37 Dec 7
AAP inches forward, AIMIM opens account
AIMIM opens its account in MCD.
Fresh update
AAP - 56
BJP - 46
INC - 4
Independent - 1
AIMIM - 1@NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard @santwana99 pic.twitter.com/X810lC11ij
— Amit Pandey (@yuva_journalist) December 7, 2022
11:15 Dec 7
AAP and BJP in neck to neck battle
11:08 Dec 7
Results of 39 seats out
11:06 Dec 7
AAP office decked up in blue and yellow
10:58 Dec 7
Neck to neck battle on: BJP and AAP win 14 seats each
10:51 Dec 7
Congress out of picture
Amid a tight contest between the AAP and BJP in the Delhi civic polls, Congress is nowhere can be seen in the game.
Initial trends show Congress leading in only 9 wards. (Read More)
10:35 Dec 7
AAP and BJP stand neck to neck
10:32 Dec 7
Counting of votes underway amid tight security
10:30 Dec 7
AAP and BJP win 2 seats each
09:55 Dec 7
Varying trends: AAP on the lead now
09:39 Dec 7
AAP exudes confidence despite trailing in early trends
AAP chief spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj told reporters, "The trends will change and we will emerge victorious in more than 180 seats. We have decked up our office and as soon as trends change we will celebrate. The BJP did not cite any achievement of their 15-year tenure in the MCD during the campaigning."
09:37 Dec 7
BJP leading in 106 seats
09:12 Dec 7
Early trends show BJP leading
09:05 Dec 7
BJP leads in 66 seats, AAP trails with 30
08:58 Dec 7
Counting of votes underway
08:54 Dec 7
Latest trends show close fight between AAP and BJP
08:43 Dec 7
Counting of votes started at 8 am
The counting of votes polled in the Delhi civic polls began Wednesday morning amid tight security arrangements.
A voter turnout of 50.48 per cent was registered in the elections.
08:40 Dec 7
Will comfortably cross halfway mark, says BJP
BJP expects to comfortably cross the halfway mark, said Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta.
“We have had a good campaign and our feedback on polling day gives us reason to be sure of a good performance,” he said. (Read More)
08:39 Dec 7
'Poll results will prove AAP is fiercely honest'
The exit polls for the MCD elections have predicted a landslide win for the AAP. Deputy CM Manish Sisodia said that this mandate will be a signal from Delhi to the whole country that AAP is a fiercely honest party.
AAP national convener and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also thanked Delhi public for showing confidence in the party. (Read More)
08:30 Dec 7
Tight security and arrangements for counting
The State Election Commission (SEC) has set up 42 centres across the city to conduct the counting process for 250 wards. This is the first election for the civic body held in the city after the delimitation of wards reduced the number of seats from 272. Nearly 20 companies of paramilitary forces and over 10,000 Delhi Police personnel have been deployed, officials said. The police are also keeping tabs on the strong rooms where the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are kept. According to SEC officials, 68 election observers will supervise the counting of votes. Also, 136 engineers from Electronics Corporation of India Limited will be stationed at counting centres to attend to any technical issues that may arise.
08:28 Dec 7 (THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS)