India: Modi to face big blow in Delhi elections

NEW DELHI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party is set to lose state elections of the Indian capital, New Delhi as the counting of votes began on Tuesday, early trends predict.

The incumbent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is heading for a big win.

AAP is leading in 55 seats with Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) trailing at 15 seats, according to the country's election commission.

The exit polls predicted a clear majority for AAP.

Commenting on the trends, BJP Delhi Chief Manoj Tiwari told reporters: “It is too early to comment on results. The party will do much better than predicted. We have to wait for some hours.”

The polls are believed to be a litmus test for Modi's government after nationwide protests in India against a controversial citizenship law -- which is seen as discriminating against Muslims.

Since Dec. 15, last year when the Indian parliament adopted the controversial citizenship law, a South Delhi locality of Shaheen Bagh has become a focal point for protesters.

The new law guarantees citizenship to non-Muslim religious minorities escaping persecution in three neighboring countries -- Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

The AAP is hoping to repeat its performance of the last assembly elections when it won 67 of the 70 seats. The BJP won just three, while the Congress failed to open its account.