India's prime minister's party wins election in the capital after 27 years out of power.
Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 48 of the 70 seats in the capital district, Delhi.
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The party of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi regained power in the nation's capital on Saturday for the first time in 27 years. The election victory is a boost for the Hindu nationalist leader after a disappointing performance in last year's national election.
Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 48 of the 70 seats in the capital district, Delhi, well ahead of the 22 seats held by Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), a fierce critic of Modi. The data comes from the Election Commission of India.
“We guarantee that we will leave no stone unturned in the development of Delhi, improving the overall quality of life for the people,” Modi wrote in the X.
The PAA, which emerged from an anti-corruption movement in 2012, had its first electoral success in Delhi and governed the territory, which includes the Indian Parliament and federal government offices in New Delhi, for two terms since 2015.
Kejriwal, 55, an anti-corruption activist turned politician who was arrested on corruption charges weeks before the start of last year's national election, alleged political retaliation by the Modi government. The PBJ denies the claims.
Released on bail, Kejriwal resigned as Chief Minister of Delhi and focused on the campaign for the state election, which he lost.
The PAA will play the role of a constructive opposition after trying to improve the city's infrastructure, education, and health over the past decade, Kejriwal said in a video message on X.
The PAA, which won the last two elections with overwhelming majorities, was popular because of its generosity, providing free water and energy to the poor, its main electoral base.
To counter the PAA, the PBJ promised monthly payments of 2.500 Indian rupees ($28) to all poor women, a one-time payment of 21.000 rupees ($239) to each pregnant woman, subsidized cooking gas, a monthly pension of 2.500 rupees ($28) for the elderly, and 15.000 rupees ($171) for young people to prepare for competitive exams.
Modi lost his majority in India's Parliament last year, but returned as prime minister for a third term with the support of regional parties. His PBJ has won three of the four subsequent state elections.
Victories in state elections help political parties increase their number in the upper house of Parliament, which is crucial for decision-making.
