Delhi Polls: Team Arvind Kejriwal is scoring heavily in the betting market

NEW DELHI: The tables have turned in a matter of days. With the political match between the BJP and AAP in Delhi entering into slog overs, it is team Kejriwal which has taken the power play in the betting market. And, they are scoring heavily.
Much to the worry of the BJP, which started off as the clear favourite, the AAP is fast emerging as the party of choice for punters in this illegal market, according to latest trends. Bookies now expect the AAP’s tally at a “comfortable” 33 in the 70-member assembly. Less than a fortnight ago, they had predicted the party to struggle to make 18.

The changes have been dramatic in the past couple of days, even as opinion polls including TNS’ survey for ET found that the AAP could gain a majority or improve its performance from the December 2013 elections.

In the satta market, soothsayers were on Monday predicting 28 seats for AAP, same as in 2013. On Tuesday, they raised the forecast to 33. On the other hand, saffron which was shining bright on 46 a fortnight ago has turned pale, with punters holding that the party might struggle to achieve the half way mark of 35. On Tuesday, they were predicting 34 seats for the BJP. A day earlier, the forecast was 38. However, Congress continues to remain on six.

Call it a strange co-incidence, AAP’s strategy or blame it on the BJP for its "masterstroke", Kejriwal has gained major ground ever since the BJP picked Kiran Bedi as its CM candidate.

While both Kejriwal and Bedi are expected to win from their constituencies, punters say it is Kejriwal who is going to win with a bigger margin. Such is the certainty that an accurate bet of Rs 1 lakh on the AAP leader’s victory will yield a return of just Rs 5,000. A loss would fetch Rs 16 lakh. A correct bet of Rs 1 lakh on Bedi's win will fetch the bettor Rs 10,000, and her loss, Rs 10 lakh.

BJP is marginally ahead of AAP in the market because, they say, BJP supporters are placing heavy bets in favour of the party. "This is done to ensure that the party remains favourite,” said a punter. “But the way the AAP is gaining , it seems it may cross the finishing line first.”