Key takeaways from the Delhi election coverage:

• The BJP is poised to win the Delhi state elections, potentially ending 27 years of AAP governance.
• Polls indicate the AAP's popularity has waned due to corruption allegations against its leaders.
• Voter turnout was reported at 60.4%, with final results expected to be announced on Saturday.
• Both parties aggressively campaigned with promises of public welfare, free services, and cash benefits.
• Political analysts suggest a tighter race than indicated by exit polls, despite BJP's optimism.

NEW DELHI (AP) — Voting in Delhi's crucial state assembly elections revealed a strong indication that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is on track to dethrone the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has governed the national capital for nearly a decade. Voter turnout hit 60.4% on a chilly Wednesday morning, with results expected to be announced on Saturday, as detailed by various sources including AP News.

According to The Guardian and South China Morning Post, exit polls suggest the BJP may win as many as 43 seats, while the AAP could secure around 26, a stark contrast to previous years when the AAP dominated with 62 of the 70 seats in the 2020 elections. This change is marked by allegations of corruption and incumbency fatigue affecting AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal's reputation.

Both the BJP and AAP campaigned vigorously, with promises of welfare initiatives including free health services, controlled electricity costs, and cash stipends aimed at low-income families. The BJP, however, has focused heavily on claiming past AAP governance was marred by corruption, leading to Kejriwal and two key ministers facing jail time on allegations related to a liquor policy scam. The party has framed these accusations as politically motivated, suggesting that the BJP is leveraging federal investigation agencies to undermine its opponents.

Political analysts such as Delhi-based Sandeep Shastri caution that while exit polls predict a definitive BJP victory, the AAP has historically defied similar forecasts. "There are strong sentiments among certain voter segments for Kejriwal, particularly among the poor who have benefited from his administration's public service improvements,” Shastri noted. However, the AAP's recent challenges, including failure to fulfill key promises regarding employment and public healthcare, could influence their voter base significantly.

In remarks following his campaign efforts, Kejriwal has reiterated AAP's commitment to providing for the common man, pledging continued initiatives centered around education, healthcare, and welfare services. With Delhi’s election defining the political landscape ahead of upcoming state elections in Bihar and beyond, the outcome could significantly impact Modi's coalition government at the national level.

As both parties await the final tallies, public focus remains on issues far beyond mere electoral gains, including governance challenges tied to pollution and the ongoing corruption narrative that has overshadowed this election.

For continuous updates and more in-depth analysis, you may refer to the original articles from AP News, The Guardian, and South China Morning Post.