Delhi elections: ABP News-Nielsen poll predicts hung assembly with AAP getting 35 seats, BJP 29

Even as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal and BJP’s CM candidate Kiran Bedi lock horns over party advertisements, an opinion poll on Monday predicted a hung Assembly in Delhi with AAP likely to emerge as the single largest party with 35 seats. BJP is projected to get 29 seats. The survey conducted by ABP News-Nielsen also predicted Congress is expected to get 6 seats in the 70-member House. [caption id=“attachment_2076163” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Kiran Bedi and Arvind Kejriwal in file photos. PTI[/caption] While Delhi has seen feverish campaigning with top BJP leaders like party chief Amit Shah to Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding rallies, the survey reveals that voters still seem to favour AAP over BJP in the national capital. This, despite the BJP exuding confidence about a win with a clear majority. Party chief Amit Shah in an exclusive interview with Zee News on 30 January had said, “In electoral politics, we never take any election lightly. We’re assured of two-thirds majority in Delhi.” A key trend in previous surveys done by ABP News-Nielsen indicated a steady rise in AAP numbers  and a decline in favour towards the BJP. An ABP News report says, “According to the November survey BJP was getting 46 seats, AAP 18 and Congress 5. In the December survey, BJP was getting 45 seats, AAP 17 and Congress 7. In the January survey, BJP had 34 seats, AAP 28 and Congress 8.” As the 7-February election draws closer, it clearly looks like a one-on-one fight in Delhi between Kejriwal and Bedi. Before Bedi was inducted into BJP, the party lacked a chief ministerial face strong enough to challenge Kejriwal. While the BJP has pinned much hope on Bedi, the survey reveals that her being pitched as the CM candidate has not benefited the BJP much. The survey said Kejriwal seems to be the most preferred candidate for the position of Chief Minister of Delhi with 48 percent, followed by Kiran Bedi of BJP with 42 percent. According to ABP News, “On the question of who, between Kiran Bedi and Arvind Kejriwal ditched Anna Hazare, the opinion remaided mixed, with 23% of the opinion that both were responsible, while 20% thought it was only Kejriwal and 18% thought it was only Bedi.” Ajay Maken remained a distant third with only 7% of the votes for a preferred chief ministerial candidate. AAP maintains its stronger hold over economically weaker sections and Muslims, PTI report said. Kejriwal marginally pips Kiran Bedi when it comes to who does more “tamasha” than working for development in Delhi. “AAP has maximum support among the lower income groups, the young, SC/ST/OBC and the Muslims. Most respondents voting for AAP believe it will bring down corruption and reduce electricity rates,” reported ABP News. The opinion poll was conducted with 6,396 respondents in 35 constituencies by ABP News-Nielsen from 25 January to 31 January, 2015. With PTI inputs