New Delhi: Facing the toughest battle of her political career, three-time Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said she was keeping her "fingers crossed" on the outcome of Delhi polls but rejected the observation that high polling percentage indicated a possible defeat for Congress.
"It is good that people in great numbers have participated in voting. But I cannot say about the results. I am not an astrologer to predict the result. Let us see what happens on December 8," she said when asked about exit polls predicting Congress` defeat. "Congress is being projected down by everyone. They always do it. I will not talk about my assessment," 75-year-old Dikshit said after end of polling.
According to exit polls by TV channels, BJP appeared to have an edge in a hung assembly in Delhi. The Times Now-C-Voter survey predicted a hung assembly, with 29 seats to BJP, 21 to Congress and 16 to AAP.
Earlier in the day, Dikshit said, "I will keep my fingers crossed" and even refused to show a victory sign when photographers at her residence requested for it.
When asked whether she was worried about AAP`s possible impact, she said "no". Dikshit, who led Congress to three consecutive electoral victories in Delhi, said her government ensured inclusive development in the past 15 years and hoped that the people will give the party another opportunity to serve them.
"I am fighting the polls with confidence. We have ensured consistent development. We followed an agenda of inclusive development. We made Delhi the best city.
"The Opposition made tall claims and tried to defame us. But people of Delhi know about our performance. I think they will vote considering what will be good for them," she said before stepping out of her residence to vote.
Asked whether she was nervous, Dikshit said, "I am too grown-up to be nervous." The entry of Arvind Kejriwal`s AAP has changed the dimension of the fight in the polls and it will be interesting to see whether the newbie will just be a "spoiler" or win some seats as predicted by opinion polls, riding on its anti-corruption plank.
Dikshit faces a stiff fight in her New Delhi constituency where Kejriwal and former Delhi BJP chief Vijender Gupta are her main opponents. Nearly 70 per cent voting was recorded in the constituency.
Dikshit has been representing the constituency for the last 15 years and her development model will face tough test in the area which comprises over 1.18 lakh voters, 60 per cent of whom are government employees and their families.
A recent opinion poll had predicted that Kejriwal may humble Dikshit in the constituency but she strongly debunked the survey result, questioning its credibility.
