Sheila or Malhotra? Wait ends today

Who will occupy Players Building? In less than 24 hours from the time this report is being filed, Delhiites will have the answer, reports HT Correspondent.

Who will occupy Players Building? In less than 24 hours from the time this report is being filed, Delhiites will have the answer.

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Counting of votes to all the 69 assembly seats, which went to polls on November 29, will start at 8 a.m. on Monday. The results are expected by late afternoon. Eleven counting centres have been set up across the city.

Though it is a direct fight between the two main political parties -- Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) might spring a surprise by increasing its vote share as compared to the 2003 polls.

While Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit is seeking a third term for herself and her party, the BJP hopes that a strong anti-incumbency factor coupled with the terror attack on Mumbai may help swing the electoral tide in its favour.

"We are confident of winning a minimum of 38 seats. We have also identified the seats where we are in a winning position," said a senior BJP leader who did not want to be named.

Even the Congress claims it is in a comfortable position. "We do not think the Mumbai terror attack had a impact here. There has been a huge turnout in rural areas where terror is not a issue," said Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) functionary.

According to the State Election Commission, the final voter turnout in the November 29 poll was 57.72 %. Of the 69 assembly constituencies that went to polls, Mangolpuri, a reserved seat, saw the record highest turnout of 64.88 per cent.

Delhi urban development minister Raj Kumar Chauhan is contesting from the seat. Mehrauli in south district saw the lowest voter turnout with 45.91 per cent.