New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has secured a significant win in the Delhi Assembly elections, dealing a major blow to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The BJP has surpassed the majority mark and is now moving towards governance in Delhi. Prominent AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Satyendra Jain, lost their respective seats, marking a sharp contrast to AAP’s successive victories in 2013, 2015, and 2020. In 2025, however, Delhi voters rejected AAP, handing power to the BJP, which had been out of office in the state for 27 years.
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Factors Behind BJP’s Victory:
1. Modi’s Influence: Following the 2014 elections, the BJP’s campaigns have centered around Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and despite AAP’s prominent CM candidate, Kejriwal, the BJP refrained from naming its own CM candidate. Relying on Modi’s leadership appears to have worked in BJP’s favor during these elections.
2. Corruption Allegations Against AAP: Scandals such as the liquor and water scams, which involved key AAP leaders being arrested and later released on bail, were pivotal in tarnishing the party’s image. The BJP effectively capitalized on AAP’s alleged involvement in corruption, making it a key disadvantage for the party in the eyes of voters.
3. Shifting Muslim Vote: In areas with a significant Muslim population, the election results defied expectations, with some Muslim voters casting ballots in favor of the BJP. The absence of an alliance between AAP and Congress also contributed to a division in Muslim votes, benefiting BJP in the process.
4. Budget Impact: The central government’s February 1 budget, which offered tax relief (upto 12 Lakh) to the middle class, resonated with Delhi voters. This initiative provided significant relief, and its effects were clearly seen in the electoral results.
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5. Double Engine Government: The BJP’s strategic promotion of the “Double Engine” government, highlighting the advantages of having BJP in power both at the center and in Delhi, resonated strongly with the electorate. Voters were persuaded by the argument that development would be more efficient under a BJP-led government at both levels.
6. AAP’s Weaknesses: Allegations of corruption, including the liquor scam, significantly hurt AAP’s credibility. Despite holding power in Delhi since 2013, the party failed to hold on to voter trust this time, with many Delhi residents opting for a change in governance.
7. Organizational Strength of BJP: The BJP demonstrated strong coordination among its workers and leaders. The party was able to effectively communicate its manifesto, while also highlighting AAP’s failure to fulfill promises. The support from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) further bolstered BJP’s campaign efforts.
8. Shift in Voter Preferences: BJP successfully conveyed the benefits of the central government’s schemes and national issues, such as security, which appealed to a significant number of voters. Historically, Delhi voters have favored BJP in Lok Sabha elections and AAP in Assembly elections, but this time, BJP triumphed in both, reflecting a shift in voter sentiment.