Battle of wits between Harsh Vardhan and Kapil Sibal in Chandni Chowk

But for the supporters the wait was long, as the leader only turned up around noon -- and with senior leader Manish Sisodia in tow aboard a black coloured jeep began the rally with songs like "Baar Baar Haan" from the hit Bollywood movie "Lagaan" playing in the background.

Attacking the Congress and BJP, Sisodia said: "We won in Delhi, and I am sure of winning again. People have seen the real faces of the Congress and the BJP, so our win is certain."

Harsh Vardhan, who took to the streets with his supporters around 3 p.m., waved at the crowd.

"Though it is old-school roadshow, the response in the area is phenomenal, and our campaign is going great," a member close to the BJP candidate told IANS.

Harsh Vardhan's convoy meandered through some of the cramped quarters of the walled city, with its byzantine lanes, and known for its authentic Mughlai cuisine, wedding trousseau and silver jewellery.

Standing atop an open jeep, he greeted the cheering crowd, which comprised mostly local businessmen and shoppers.

As the leaders and their convoys passed through the bylanes of the area, people could be seen cheering and waving out to them from their houses and the streets.

Some even joined the cavalcade, rooting for their leaders.

"I have taken a day off today to be with the leader I support. This is the only time I can give back to the party, which promises to help fight our cause after they win. This is essential to ensure that they win," an onlooker said.

Standing at the gate of her colony, 35-year-old housewife Poonam Chauhan, said all this campaigning is good as long as all the elected leaders fulfil their promises.

Agreed Soma, a 45-year-old washerwoman, who told IANS: "We want inflation and prices to go down. Only then will I believe that the party leaders are worth trusting."

Georgina Lazer, 80-year-old retired housemaker, who was keenly watching the aggressive campaigning, said she has always been a Congress loyalist.

"We have always voted for the Congress, and this time too will stick to it. We do not care if the party wins or not, our loyalty will be with the party," Lazer told IANS.