The speculation about Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s future in the national capital, after the recent Delhi Assembly elections, had begun in earnest. Perhaps eight out of every ten exit polls track very big shifts in voter sentiment, and indications are that AAP may have a hard road ahead. Although two polls offer glimmering hope for the party, in one, chances of wielding power are too slim to contemplate seriously.

According to the Matrize exit poll, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is expected to win 37 seats, which is just two more than the 35 needed for a majority in the 70-member assembly. Two other polls, WeePreside and Mind Brink, also suggest that AAP will win a third consecutive term for their leader, Arvind Kejriwal. However, other polls indicate that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) might make a comeback, as they were the leading party in Delhi two decades ago. Overall, the exit polls suggest that AAP could win around 30 seats, while the BJP might secure about 39 seats. The Congress party seems to be struggling, with predictions showing they could win a maximum of just three seats.

AAP's Response to Exit Polls

In reaction to poll exit predictions, AAP has firmly dismissed predictions from different agencies. "This is our fourth election, and every time exit polls did not show AAP forming the government in Delhi," AAP leader Sushil Gupta said, optimistic about the party's performance. "Arvind Kejriwal has worked for the people of Delhi. We will see the results in favor of the Aam Aadmi Party, and we will form the government."

While exit polls are not always right, they have shown a history of correctly predicting AAP's wins in the last two Delhi elections, even if they weren't very accurate about how many seats AAP would win. They also successfully predicted AAP's victory in Punjab, which was the party's second major electoral success.

BJP's Campaign Strategy

The BJP undertook a vigorous campaigning program with advertisements that focused heavily on accusing the AAP of corruption, so much so that the exit poll predictions come as icing on an already delicious cake. AAP grew to Fane under corruption movement spearheaded by Anna Hazare but has faced lots of odds this way. The last two years have seen several AAP leaders put in jail for various corruption allegations-Kejriwal being among them, along with his number-one aide, Manish Sisodia.

One of the biggest controversies is the alleged liquor policy scam, which has received a lot of public attention. There are also allegations against Kejriwal regarding the "Sheesh Mahal," which involves a reported Rs 33.6 crore renovation of the Chief Minister's official residence. This lavish makeover has damaged the party's reputation, as it is seen as a big change from AAP's original approach to governance that had previously won public support.

AAP's Efforts to Rebuild Its Image

Despite these challenges, AAP has tried to improve its image by showcasing its successes in improving education and healthcare. The party has also highlighted its efforts to offer heavily discounted electricity and water bills. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has mocked these initiatives, calling them "revdi," which means handouts meant to win votes.

However, AAP's governance has had its challenges. The party has faced ongoing conflicts with the Lieutenant Governor (LG), who represents the central government in Delhi and has been given significant powers over the city's officials through new laws. AAP has repeatedly claimed that these powers have made it difficult for them to govern effectively. The party has filed a petition against the LG's authority, which is currently waiting for a decision from a Constitution bench of the Supreme Court.

Grassroots Campaigning Strategy

Because of these significant challenges, AAP has chosen a grassroots approach for its campaign, similar to what worked for them in the 2015 elections. The party is concentrating on simple, door-to-door outreach, which is very different from the BJP's more flashy and high-profile campaign style.

Saturday will be the final countdown for Delhi elections to come out with the true picture, as a lot has changed in the political landscape. The counting will reveal whether AAP can hold on to its foothold in power or will BJP snatch its way back to being the supreme power in the capital.