BJP’s Landmark Victory in Delhi After 27 Years, AAP Faces Major Setback

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has secured a historic win in Delhi, ending a 27-year-long wait to form the government in the national capital. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), BJP has either won or is leading in 48 out of the 70 assembly seats, while the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is ahead in 22 seats. With the majority mark set at 35, BJP’s landslide victory signals a major political shift in Delhi.

In a statement on social media, Modi declared, “Development wins, good governance triumphs.” He assured that his government would “leave no stone unturned” in transforming Delhi into a model city.

Arvind Kejriwal Acknowledges Defeat, Congratulates BJP

In a video message, AAP’s former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accepted the people’s mandate and congratulated BJP on its massive victory. “I hope they live up to the expectations of the people who voted for them,” he stated.

This election was crucial for both BJP and AAP, given Delhi’s significance as the capital city. AAP, which had been in power since 2013, had built its reputation on welfare policies. However, recent corruption allegations and the arrest of key party leaders significantly damaged its credibility.

For BJP, winning Delhi is more than just an electoral achievement—it marks a powerful comeback after being out of governance in the city since 1998. The party invested heavily in its campaign, with both Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah actively participating in election rallies and strategy meetings.

Congress Continues Its Decline, Fails to Win Any Seat

The Congress Party, once the dominant force in Delhi politics, failed to win a single seat in this election. Having ruled Delhi from 1998 to 2013, the party was ousted after corruption allegations pushed voters toward AAP. Since then, Congress has struggled to regain relevance in the capital.

Delhi Election Sees Over 60% Voter Turnout

More than 60% of eligible voters cast their ballots, indicating strong public participation. Most exit polls had predicted a BJP majority, though predictions in the past have sometimes been inaccurate.

Political analysts believe that BJP’s win in Delhi will further strengthen Modi’s influence across India, especially after the party lost its outright majority in the 2024 General Elections.

AAP’s Decline and the Impact on Its Future

The defeat is a massive setback for AAP, which had been widely appreciated in its early years for its education and healthcare reforms in Delhi. Retaining power in Delhi was crucial for the party, as it also governs Punjab and hoped to expand its presence in other states.

Over the past decade, AAP’s appeal has weakened, particularly among the middle class, which once strongly supported Kejriwal’s anti-corruption movement. However, in recent years, the party shifted its focus toward populist welfare policies aimed at the economically weaker sections.

The results indicate that AAP’s traditional voter base may have moved away. The working class and lower-income groups, which formed the party’s core support, seem to have shifted their preferences.

Corruption Scandals and the Fall of AAP

Multiple factors contributed to AAP’s poor performance in this election. Corruption allegations, the arrest of key leaders, and Kejriwal’s own legal troubles created a vacuum that BJP capitalized on.

Backed by strong financial and organizational resources, BJP ran an aggressive campaign, focusing on its “double-engine government” pitch—a strategy emphasizing the benefits of having the same party in both state and central government.

This landmark victory is BJP’s first full majority in Delhi in nearly three decades. Its “Parivartan” (change) campaign resonated with voters, but its strong political and financial backing played a crucial role in securing this landslide win.

BJP’s Resurgence Continues, Opposition Struggles

Fresh off its victories in Haryana and Maharashtra, BJP’s Delhi win cements its comeback after the slight setback in last year’s general election. Meanwhile, the opposition remains divided and weakened, further boosting BJP’s dominance in Indian politics.

The most significant upsets of the election included top AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia losing from the New Delhi and Jangpura constituencies, respectively. Even Delhi’s incumbent Chief Minister Atishi secured only a narrow victory in Kalkaji constituency.

Delhi’s Unique Governance Model and Campaign Strategies

Delhi has a complicated governance structure, where key decisions related to law enforcement, land, and public order are taken by the Lieutenant Governor (LG), who is appointed by the central government. The state government, meanwhile, manages education, health, and public services.

This power structure has often led to friction between the central and state governments, especially when rival parties govern them.

This dynamic also shaped election strategies, with both BJP and AAP focusing on welfare policies rather than political or identity-based issues.

Both parties promised improvements in public schools, free healthcare services, and direct cash transfers for women. However, BJP also leveraged the recent federal budget announcement, which introduced tax cuts for the middle class—a key voter segment in Delhi.

What About Delhi’s Air Pollution Crisis?

Despite Delhi’s severe air pollution problem, which affects more than 30 million residents, the issue remained largely absent from the election discourse.

BJP had promised to cut Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) by 50% by 2030 if it won, and other parties also included pollution-related policies in their manifestos. However, pollution never became a major campaign topic, with most discussions centering around welfare schemes and governance.

What’s Next for BJP and AAP?

For BJP, winning Delhi means more than just an electoral triumph—it marks the beginning of a new era where the party finally establishes its governance in the national capital.

For AAP, the future remains uncertain. The party’s declining appeal, corruption scandals, and leadership crisis raise concerns about whether it can regain public trust in future elections.

BJP’s landslide victory in Delhi after 27 years is a historic moment in Indian politics. With a weakened opposition and a strong electoral strategy, BJP has now firmly secured its position in the capital.

Meanwhile, AAP faces an uphill battle to rebuild its image and regain lost support. Whether it can bounce back in the next election cycle remains to be seen.

Delhi voters have spoken, and for now, the city has embraced change—with BJP at the helm.