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Vishal Kant

Vishal Kant works as an Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times. He tracks developments in Aam Aadmi Party and Delhi government. Vishal has spent about a decade covering the city politics and governance, besides writing on Delhi’s civic issues, urban transport and infrastructure.

Articles by Vishal Kant

‘Friendlier’ Kejriwal gets full support from MLAs in Kapil Mishra row

AAP convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal organised a dinner for party MLAs and their families in a bid to reach out to them after MCD poll debacle. Such meetings are likely to become more frequent.

After MCD poll debacle, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is trying to become more accessible to his MLAs.(Raj K Raj /HT Photo)

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Updated on May 16, 2017 10:51 PM IST

ByVishal Kant

Highlights: AAP dismisses Kapil Mishra’s ‘money laundering’ claims as BJP conspiracy

Delhi witnesses another politically charged day with more action as sacked Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kapil Mishra said that he will make another “expose” on Sunday.

AAP leaders Ashutosh (left) and Sanjay Singh addressing a press conference in New Delhi, May 14, 2015.(Ravi Choudhary/ HT Photo)

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Updated on Jun 01, 2017 10:37 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVishal Kant

Kejriwal admits ‘mistakes’ after MCD election loss, says AAP will introspect

After failing to perform as expected in the recent Punjab and Goa assembly elections, the 5-year-old AAP faced a humiliating defeat in the municipal elections in Delhi.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal addresses a press conference at his residence in New Delhi. Several leaders of his Aam Aadmi Party have blamed the leadership for a string of election losses recently.(Sonu Mehta/HT FILE PHOTO)

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Updated on May 29, 2017 01:18 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByVishal Kant

AAP puts Gujarat plans on hold after debacle in MCD elections

Repeated poll reverses has forced the rethink and the party leaders told Hindustan Times that the decision to contest polls in other states have been put on hold.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal during the Mcd and MLA election campaign at Rajouri Garden Vidhan Sabha area. Photo by Raj K Raj/Hindustan Times **To go with Vishal ' story**

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Updated on Apr 28, 2017 11:35 PM IST

ByVishal Kant, New Delhi

MCD result fallout: Gopal Rai set to be appointed as AAP’s Delhi convener

Delhi labour minister will succeed Dilip Pandey who resigned from the post of Delhi convener after AAP lost in MCD election result on Wednesday.

Delhi labour minister Gopal Rai speaking to media after MCD election result on Wednesday.(Burhaan Kinu/HT Photo)

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Updated on Apr 27, 2017 11:23 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVishal Kant, New Delhi

MCD result: AAP in turmoil as Sanjay Singh resigns, Gopal Rai new Delhi convener

After AAP lost in MCD polls, party chief in Punjab Sanjay Singh resigned on Thursday. In Delhi, labour minister Gopal Rai is set to become the AAP convenor after Dilip Pandey stepped down.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal held a meeting with all MLAs at his residence in Civil Line, north Delhi on Thursday.(Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on May 29, 2017 08:43 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByHeena Kausar and Vishal Kant, New Delhi

MCD poll results: Drop in AAP’s vote share puts question mark on future

The BJP scored a hat-trick in the Delhi civic polls as it comfortably retained control of the three municipal corporations, dealing a severe blow to the AAP and dashing the Congress’ hope of a revival.

File photo of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal(Mohd Zakir/HT File Photo)

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Updated on Apr 27, 2017 10:06 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByVishal Kant

Quit blaming EVMs, put off expansion: 4 things AAP must do after MCD results

MCD election results: From forcing the BJP and Congress to a corner in Delhi in 2015 to now itself struggling to exist, the slide for AAP has been steep.

Janakpuri MLA Rajesh Rishi (not in picture) had warned Kejriwal of a defeat saying he was surrounded by a ‘coterie’, which allegedly did not give him the right feedback.(Sonu Mehta/HT Photo)

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Updated on May 29, 2017 01:18 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVishal Kant, New Delhi

MCD election results: Six things to watch out for on counting day

Though the exit polls for have predicted a rout for the Aam Aadmi Party in the Delhi municipal elections, the party leaders have been claiming a different result.

Delhi CM and AAP founder Arvind Kejriwal (L), Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari and Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken (R).

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Updated on Apr 26, 2017 08:16 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByVishal Kant, New Delhi

MCD election results 2017: What’s at stake for BJP, AAP and Congress

Stakes are high for the three main players BJP, AAP and Congress in Delhi politics. Two exit polls have predicted win for BJP even as AAP claims it will win over 200 seats.

The results of 2017 MCD election will be announced on Wednesday. The counting of votes will be held across 34 centres. Polling was held on Sunday.(Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

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Updated on Apr 26, 2017 09:57 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByVishal Kant, New Delhi

MCD election 2017: Will BJP ride the Modi wave, or Cong, AAP make a comeback?

Exit polls have predicted a big win for the BJP, while the AAP and Congress have been shown competing for a distant second spot.

Voters stand in queue at a polling station during the MCD election in New Delhi on April 23.(Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Apr 26, 2017 10:03 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByVishal Kant

MCD election 2017: Kejriwal to launch ‘movement’ if exit poll forecast come true

Exit polls have predicted that the BJP will retain Delhi’s three municipal corporations. The counting for the 270 wards across the three civic bodies is on April 26 for the election billed by rivals as a referendum on two years of the Arvind Kerjriwal government.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal at a polling booth to cast his vote for the MCD elections 2017.(Ravi Choudhary/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on May 05, 2017 10:50 AM IST

New Delhi, Hindustan Times | ByVishal Kant

MCD election 2017: What next for Kejriwal’s AAP, exit polls predict BJP win

MCD polls: After voting ended for Delhi’s three civic bodies, two pollsters predicted a huge win for the BJP. AAP and Congress are fighting neck-and-neck for a very distant second spot.

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Updated on Apr 26, 2017 06:56 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVishal Kant, New Delhi

MCD polls: EVM malfunction affected election, alleges AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal

The state election commission, however, said the election body received 18 complaints of glitches, which was “normal”, and those were rectified soon.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal showing his ink-marked finger after casting his vote for Delhi MCD elections at Rajpura Road polling booth in North Delhi.(Ravi Choudhary/Hindustan Times)

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Updated on Apr 24, 2017 12:33 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByVishal Kant and Vibha Sharma

MCD election 2017: Exit polls predict BJP win, Kejriwal rout after 54% turnout, EVM controversy

MCD polls: Delhi State Election Commission said only 44.48% voters had cast their ballot till 4 pm . Counting will take place on April 26, with BJP the front-runner

Voters queue up to vote in the municipal corporation election on Sunday.(Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Apr 26, 2017 06:56 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVishal Kant and Vibha Sharma, New Delhi

Kejriwal says new L-G turned against AAP govt once MCD polls were announced

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that while his government had a smooth relationship with L-G Anil Baijal, their terms had soured since the onset of MCD polls over the last 20 days.

The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government in Delhi had frequent run-ins with former lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung who had quit in December last year.(HT Photo)

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Updated on Apr 21, 2017 11:38 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVishal Kant, New Delhi

Watch: EVM fight will continue even if we win, says Kejriwal in HT interview

Ahead of the MCD polls, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal talks to HT about solutions for Delhi’s civic mess, corruption and the relationship with L-G’s office.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal during an interview with HT in New Delhi.(Saumya Khandelwal/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Apr 21, 2017 10:54 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVishal Kant, New Delhi

Modiji won’t run MCD; I’ll monitor work if AAP wins: Kejriwal in HT interview

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal talks to Hindustan Times on a host of issues ahead of the Delhi municipal corporation elections.

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Updated on Apr 21, 2017 03:02 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByVishal Kant, New Delhi

We could have done better in power. It’s time to bounce back: Ajay Maken

Delhi Congress chief

New Delhi, India - April 19, 2017: DPCC President Ajay Makan at Hindustan Times in New Delhi, India, on Wednesday, April 19, 2017. (Photo by Mohd Zakir/ Hindustan Times)(Mohd Zakir/HT Photo)

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Updated on Apr 20, 2017 09:55 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByParvez Sultan/ Vishal Kant

Swachh Delhi, free from dengue, chikungunya: Kejriwal releases AAP MCD manifesto

In its manifesto for MCD elections, the AAP has promised to make Delhi clean and free of vectors. It also promises to take steps to simplify construction norms and improve health facilities if votes to power.

The Aam Aadmi Party released its manifesto for MCD polls on Wednesday.

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Updated on Apr 22, 2017 11:30 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVishal Kant and Sweta Goswami, New Delhi

Kejriwal to release AAP’s manifesto for MCD polls today

The Aam Aadmi Party will come up with its manifesto for the April 23 municipal elections today.

The Arvind Kejriwal-led party is making its full-fledged debut in city’ civic polls, with an eye to wrest power from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has been ruling the three municipal corporations in the city for past 10 years(Arun Sharma/HT Photo)

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Updated on Apr 19, 2017 01:32 PM IST

ByVishal Kant, New Delhi

We will ensure direct funds from Centre to MCDs: Manoj Tiwari

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari says though AAP and Congress governments choked the funds flow to BJP-ruled MCDs, they were able to deliver parks and better schools. He said Narendra Modi represents his party’s zero tolerance to corruption.

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari at Hindustan Times office on Tuesday.(Burhaan Kinu/HT Photo)

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Updated on Apr 19, 2017 09:16 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByParvez Sultan & Vishal Kant

MCD election: Purvanchalis are the new kingmakers in Delhi politics

Purvanchali, now constitute almost one-third, of the total population and command considerable sway in elections and all major parties claim to be fielding purvnachali candidates in the MCD polls.

The fact that regional parties such as Janata Dal (United) have also started participating in Delhi MCD elections underline the significance of the Purvanchali voters in Delhi.(Sushil Kumar/HT Photo)

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Updated on May 12, 2017 05:28 PM IST

ByVishal Kant, New Delhi

Rajouri bypoll result a wake-up call for AAP ahead of MCD elections

A section in AAP, however, is of the view that more than the BJP’s victory, a substantial increase in the vote share of the Congress is worrying as it could make the municipal elections a triangular contest.

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Updated on May 01, 2017 12:48 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVishal Kant, New Delhi

Rajouri Garden bypoll defeat will not affect MCD elections, says Kejriwal

A day after AAP suffered a crushing defeat in the bypoll at Rajouri Garden chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the party will perform well in the MCD poll and the result did not imply that Delhiites are angry with the party.

Speaking to reporters at a public function, Kejriwal said he was confident the party would do much better in the municipal elections on April 23.(Arun Sharma/HT FILE)

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Updated on Apr 14, 2017 01:21 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVishal Kant, New Delhi

Rajouri Garden bypoll: Wake-up call for AAP after BJP wins, Congress improves

Harjeet Singh, AAP’s candidate in Rajouri Garden bypoll, got only 10,243 votes. He was way behind Congress candidate Meenakshi Chandela who lost to BJP’s Manjinder Singh Sirsa by more than 14,000 votes.

In Delhi assembly elections in 2015, AAP’s vote share in Rajouri Garden was 47%. It has dropped to 13% now.(Raj K Raj/ HT File)

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Updated on Nov 22, 2018 06:56 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVishal Kant, New Delhi

MCD election: Kejriwal asks poll panel to withdraw EVMs brought from Rajasthan

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to election commissioner SK Srivastava asking for EVMs with paper trail and seeking an opportunity to examine the machines to be used in MCD polls.

In a letter to state election commissioner SK Srivastava, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal asked the election body to provide all political parties an opportunity to technically examine some of the EVMs.(Arun Sharma/HT FILE)

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Updated on Apr 02, 2019 03:39 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVishal Kant, New Delhi

MCD election: Kejriwal asks poll panel to withdraw EVMs brought from Rajasthan

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to election commissioner SK Srivastava asking for EVMs with paper trail and seeking an opportunity to examine the machines to be used in MCD polls.

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Updated on May 01, 2017 11:07 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVishal Kant, New Delhi

MCD polls: AAP asks Delhi voters to choose between Kejriwal and Vijender Gupta

MCD polls: Going back to its time-tested method, the Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday plastered the city with posters and billboards, posing a direct question to the city’s voters — Dilli ki baagdor kisko? (Who would you like to hand over Delhi to?) Arvind Kejriwal or Vijender Gupta?

Aam Aadmi Party hoarding questioning voters — Dilli ki baagdor kisko? Kejriwal or Vijender Gupta — at Shadipur bus depot in New Delhi on Sunday.(Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Apr 13, 2017 07:06 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVishal Kant, New Delhi

Rajouri bypolls: EC sending voters guide to use EVMs, VVPAT polling machines

Opposition parties have been crying foul over the usage of EVMs in the electoral process. They allege the voting machines can be tampered.

EC is sending voters guides to understand the functioning of voting machines.(AFP File Photo)

cities

Updated on Apr 08, 2017 09:08 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByVishal Kant, New Delhi

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Vishal Kant

Vishal Kant works as an Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times. He tracks developments in Aam Aadmi Party and Delhi government. Vishal has spent about a decade covering the city politics and governance, besides writing on Delhi’s civic issues, urban transport and infrastructure.

AAP convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal organised a dinner for party MLAs and their families in a bid to reach out to them after MCD poll debacle. Such meetings are likely to become more frequent.

Delhi witnesses another politically charged day with more action as sacked Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kapil Mishra said that he will make another “expose” on Sunday.

After failing to perform as expected in the recent Punjab and Goa assembly elections, the 5-year-old AAP faced a humiliating defeat in the municipal elections in Delhi.

Repeated poll reverses has forced the rethink and the party leaders told Hindustan Times that the decision to contest polls in other states have been put on hold.

Delhi labour minister will succeed Dilip Pandey who resigned from the post of Delhi convener after AAP lost in MCD election result on Wednesday.

After AAP lost in MCD polls, party chief in Punjab Sanjay Singh resigned on Thursday. In Delhi, labour minister Gopal Rai is set to become the AAP convenor after Dilip Pandey stepped down.

The BJP scored a hat-trick in the Delhi civic polls as it comfortably retained control of the three municipal corporations, dealing a severe blow to the AAP and dashing the Congress’ hope of a revival.

MCD election results: From forcing the BJP and Congress to a corner in Delhi in 2015 to now itself struggling to exist, the slide for AAP has been steep.

Though the exit polls for have predicted a rout for the Aam Aadmi Party in the Delhi municipal elections, the party leaders have been claiming a different result.

Stakes are high for the three main players BJP, AAP and Congress in Delhi politics. Two exit polls have predicted win for BJP even as AAP claims it will win over 200 seats.

Exit polls have predicted a big win for the BJP, while the AAP and Congress have been shown competing for a distant second spot.

Exit polls have predicted that the BJP will retain Delhi’s three municipal corporations. The counting for the 270 wards across the three civic bodies is on April 26 for the election billed by rivals as a referendum on two years of the Arvind Kerjriwal government.

MCD polls: After voting ended for Delhi’s three civic bodies, two pollsters predicted a huge win for the BJP. AAP and Congress are fighting neck-and-neck for a very distant second spot.

The state election commission, however, said the election body received 18 complaints of glitches, which was “normal”, and those were rectified soon.

MCD polls: Delhi State Election Commission said only 44.48% voters had cast their ballot till 4 pm . Counting will take place on April 26, with BJP the front-runner

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that while his government had a smooth relationship with L-G Anil Baijal, their terms had soured since the onset of MCD polls over the last 20 days.

Ahead of the MCD polls, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal talks to HT about solutions for Delhi’s civic mess, corruption and the relationship with L-G’s office.

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal talks to Hindustan Times on a host of issues ahead of the Delhi municipal corporation elections.

Delhi Congress chief

In its manifesto for MCD elections, the AAP has promised to make Delhi clean and free of vectors. It also promises to take steps to simplify construction norms and improve health facilities if votes to power.

The Aam Aadmi Party will come up with its manifesto for the April 23 municipal elections today.

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari says though AAP and Congress governments choked the funds flow to BJP-ruled MCDs, they were able to deliver parks and better schools. He said Narendra Modi represents his party’s zero tolerance to corruption.

Purvanchali, now constitute almost one-third, of the total population and command considerable sway in elections and all major parties claim to be fielding purvnachali candidates in the MCD polls.

A section in AAP, however, is of the view that more than the BJP’s victory, a substantial increase in the vote share of the Congress is worrying as it could make the municipal elections a triangular contest.

A day after AAP suffered a crushing defeat in the bypoll at Rajouri Garden chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the party will perform well in the MCD poll and the result did not imply that Delhiites are angry with the party.

Harjeet Singh, AAP’s candidate in Rajouri Garden bypoll, got only 10,243 votes. He was way behind Congress candidate Meenakshi Chandela who lost to BJP’s Manjinder Singh Sirsa by more than 14,000 votes.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to election commissioner SK Srivastava asking for EVMs with paper trail and seeking an opportunity to examine the machines to be used in MCD polls.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to election commissioner SK Srivastava asking for EVMs with paper trail and seeking an opportunity to examine the machines to be used in MCD polls.

MCD polls: Going back to its time-tested method, the Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday plastered the city with posters and billboards, posing a direct question to the city’s voters — Dilli ki baagdor kisko? (Who would you like to hand over Delhi to?) Arvind Kejriwal or Vijender Gupta?

Opposition parties have been crying foul over the usage of EVMs in the electoral process. They allege the voting machines can be tampered.

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