In a historic political shift, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has stormed back to power in Delhi after 27 years, winning 48 out of 70 seats in the Assembly elections held on February 5, 2025. The results, declared on February 8, dealt a severe blow to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), reducing its tally from 62 to 22 seats.
A Decisive Mandate for BJP
Contesting 68 seats, the BJP surpassed the majority mark of 36 with ease, securing a resounding victory over the incumbent AAP government. Celebrations erupted across the capital as BJP workers rejoiced over their party’s return to power after a prolonged absence from the Delhi government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing party workers at the BJP headquarters, hailed the result as a historic mandate for development, vision, and trust. He reiterated his stance against AAP, calling its rule over Delhi an “AAP-da” (disaster). “Delhi is free from AAP-da of a decade. The people of Delhi have spoken. The pomp, anarchy, arrogance, and corruption of AAP have been defeated,” he declared.
आज दिल्ली की जनता ने साफ कर दिया है कि दिल्ली की असली मालिक सिर्फ और सिर्फ दिल्ली की जनता है: माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी #दिल्ली_के_दिल_में_मोदी pic.twitter.com/X0bjMLOpSb
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 8, 2025
AAP’s Shocking Defeat: Kejriwal and Sisodia Lose
The AAP, which had enjoyed overwhelming support in the past two elections, faced a crushing defeat. Arvind Kejriwal, who had resigned as Chief Minister in September 2024 after securing bail from prison, was seeking a renewed mandate from Delhi voters. However, his attempt to return as CM ended in disappointment as he lost the New Delhi Assembly seat to BJP’s Parvesh Verma.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also failed to retain his Jangpura seat, losing to BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah. This marks a major setback for AAP’s leadership, with two of its top leaders facing rejection at the ballot box.
Atishi, one of AAP’s key leaders and the acting Chief Minister since Kejriwal’s resignation, managed to hold onto her Kalkaji seat by defeating BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri.
Congress Fails Again
For the third consecutive Assembly election, the Congress party failed to secure a single seat. Most of its candidates even lost their deposits, reflecting the party’s continued decline in Delhi’s political landscape.
A Tight Vote Share Despite Seat Gap
Despite BJP’s sweeping victory in terms of seats, the vote share difference between AAP and BJP remained relatively narrow, at just 2%. This indicates that while BJP secured a strategic win by consolidating votes in key constituencies, AAP still retained significant voter support across Delhi.
Factors Contributing to BJP’s Victory
Several key factors contributed to the BJP’s resounding success in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections:
1. Voter Trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi
A significant factor in the BJP’s success was the electorate’s confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. His vision for development and governance resonated with Delhi’s voters, leading to a decisive mandate in favor of the BJP.
2. AAP’s Leadership Challenges and Corruption Allegations
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) faced significant setbacks due to legal troubles and corruption allegations against its leadership. Arvind Kejriwal’s imprisonment and subsequent resignation as Chief Minister in September 2024, along with accusations of corruption against other party leaders, eroded public trust in AAP’s governance.
3. BJP’s Promises of Development and Welfare
The BJP’s campaign focused on promises to improve infrastructure, education, and healthcare services in Delhi. The party assured voters that existing welfare schemes, such as free electricity and water, would not only continue but be enhanced under their administration. This commitment to development and welfare appealed to a broad spectrum of voters.
4. A Divided Opposition
The fragmentation and lack of cohesion among opposition parties played to the BJP’s advantage. The Indian National Congress failed to secure any seats for the third consecutive time, with many of its candidates losing their deposits. This lack of a strong alternative consolidated votes in favor of the BJP.
5. Effective Campaign Strategy
The BJP’s strategic campaign, which included promises of financial assistance to the poor, women, and the elderly, as well as subsidies for essentials like cooking gas, resonated with the electorate. The party’s focus on development and governance, coupled with its critique of AAP’s performance, helped sway voters in its favor.
Who Will Be BJP’s Chief Minister?
Interestingly, the BJP did not project a Chief Ministerial candidate during its campaign, instead asking voters to back the party in the name of Prime Minister Modi. With the election won, the focus now shifts to who will take on the role of Delhi’s Chief Minister. Senior leaders within the BJP will deliberate on the best candidate to lead the capital and fulfill the party’s promises.
Arvind Kejriwal’s Response
Conceding defeat, Kejriwal stated that AAP’s journey had never been solely about power but about serving the people. “We respect the people’s verdict. We will play the role of a constructive opposition while continuing to serve the people of Delhi,” he said.
What’s Next for Delhi?
With the BJP back in power after 26 years, Delhi is set for significant political and administrative changes. Key issues such as infrastructure development, governance transparency, and social welfare policies will be in focus as the new government takes charge.
The 2025 Delhi election results have redrawn the capital’s political landscape, bringing an end to a decade of AAP rule and heralding a new era under BJP leadership. Whether BJP can live up to its promises and deliver effective governance remains to be seen.
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