Amit Shah must have felt the current, say AAP supporters as party set to win over 60 seats

“BJP former president and union home minister Amit Shah must have felt the current now as the afternoon trends suggest that AAP has stormed to power again, despite a mild anti-incumbency and BJP’s high octane campaign on religious lines,” quipped a jubilant AAP supporter who was waiting to hear his leader Kejriwal on the historic day.

The AAP supporter – who completed his master’s in engineering from an elite institute and was talking to foreign media persons who thronged to the AAP headquarters on Tuesday – was of the view that AAP defeated BJP because “they (AAP) run the government based on the principles of a welfare state.”

The technocrat, who spent many years in US before shifting his base back to India, made the sharp-witted remark about the poll results while talking to NH.

“BJP left no stone unturned to harass Kejriwal government…They tried to buy their MLAs, incite internal rebellion, get their MLAs suspended on corruption charges…everything but Kejriwal turned his troubles into opportunities,” he said.

“As far as Delhi is concerned, it is a futile exercise to draw a parallel between Kejriwal and Shah. I would say what Fidel Castro had done for the people of the Cuba, Kejriwal tried to do for the people of Delhi,” he added, standing near the main gate of the AAP headquarters that has been decorated with white and blue balloons.

“Comparing Kejriwal with Shah is like comparing Castro with former VHP leader Praveen Togadia,” he said.

Amid drum beating and dancing AAP volunteers, a senior TV journalist who is otherwise known for his anti-AAP stand, echoed the same views.

He said, “There is no substitute to AAP in Delhi. BJP failed to present an alternative model of governance in Delhi. AAP’s victory highlights the fact that even 70 years after independence people struggle for good education and basic health facilities.”

“AAP’s model of governance reminds duties of a welfare state which BJP or Congress ruled states should follow,” noted the senior TV journalist pointing towards broom wielding AAP supporters.

A trader who voted for the BJP in the parliamentary election told his reporters that this is a “mandate for the good work done by Kejriwal”. He said his son, who goes to a government school, convinced him to vote for the AAP.

Apart from education and health, free bus rides for women proved a huge winning plank for Kejriwal, say analysts.

An AAP supporter who came from Patparganj to celebrate AAP’s impending victory said, “My daughter who works with the ministry of child education and development saves on an average Rs 2500-3000 per month after AAP announced the scheme”.

Contrary to tall claims made by Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari, BJP was leading on 8 eats, as per the late afternoon trends, down from 17 seats in the morning.

The BJP headquarters, located a stone’s throw away from the AAP headquarters, wore a deserted look, following the disastrous performance of the saffron party in the city.