Capital performance

Stars have been brought in to attract crowds; party cadres galvanised to secure voters; airwaves are buzzing with advertisements; roadside meetings are in full swing; charges and counter-charges are being traded by candidates; the prestige of major leaders is at stake. Yes, the Delhi Assembly elections have brought out the best that political parties can field against each other as the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress pitch into the battle for the hearts of voters in the national Capital.
The BJP seemed a bit tardy, but it is seeking to make up for the lost time by bringing in senior leaders, including ministers and parliamentarians, to give the last-minute push. The party seems to have been rattled by the recent opinion polls that have not predicted it as a clear winner, in spite of the induction of Kiran Bedi as a chief ministerial candidate. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal seems to have got his mojo back. As for the Congress, Rahul Gandhi has now pitched into the fray, and into controversies, taking digs, sartorial and otherwise. Prime Minister Modi is expected to address many election rallies in the next few days.
The voters of Delhi have shown that they have an independent streak. They do not lend themselves to neat categorisations. The Congress is not expected to do well, but the low expectations may allow it to swing a surprise or two. The other two leading parties have quite a battle ahead of them. In spite of various attempts it is going to be a Kejriwal vs Modi fight, and thus all the more important for the BJP. The formidable organisational prowess of the party along with the talent of Amit Shah will be pitted against a party that challenges the traditional. Voters, deprived of a popular government after the last election, will now want one that delivers. They have a few more days to make their choice.