Delhi defeat marks third straight state election loss for Modi

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal (centre) celebrating with his supporters at the party headquarters in New Delhi. The incumbent AAP, led by Kejriwal, retained power as it swept ahead in 63 of the 70 seats in the state assembly, official data showed. - AFP

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s federal ruling party conceded defeat in a hard-fought state election for control of India’s capital Delhi, the most significant test of his popularity after his religion-based citizenship law led to widespread protests across the country.

The incumbent Aam Aadmi Party, led-by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, was set to retain power as it swept ahead in 63 of the 70 seats in the state assembly, Election Commission data showed Tuesday (Feb 11), down from 67 in the 2015 poll.