Delhi Assembly Elections 2025 | I.N.D.I.A. bloc loses steam as BJP in driver's seat after poll results

New Delhi: The I.N.D.I.A. bloc has won two states in the past eight months but the losses in three Assemblies, the latest being Delhi, after an impressive run in the Lok Sabha polls have once again exposed contradictions within the grouping in its fight against the BJP.

As in the case of Jammu and Kashmir where the bloc won and in Haryana and Maharashtra where it was decimated, the coalition leader Congress is facing criticism for its failure to prevent the BJP from taking the driver's seat. In the case of Delhi, I.N.D.I.A. partners were upset with Congress' high-decibel campaign against ally AAP, which lost to the BJP.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's cryptic 'X' post “Aur lado aapas mein (keep on fighting each other)” summed up the mood in the coalition, as AAP and Congress fought against each other in Delhi where the BJP managed to win 48 seats leaving the rest 22 to AAP.

As results poured in, senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said a Congress-AAP alliance would have defeated the BJP in Delhi. CPI's D Raja said the Delhi results serve as a “stark reminder of the consequences of disunity” among secular-democratic forces.

“This result clearly highlights that the RSS-BJP’s divisive agenda can only be effectively countered through a united, ideological and political front. It is a wake-up call for the constituents of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, particularly the Congress – the largest party in the coalition – and other dominant regional parties,” Raja said adding, “unity must be both ideological and practical”.

In Thiruvananthapuram, senior Kerala CPI(M) leader T P Ramakrishnan accused the Congress of taking no initiative to make I.N.D.I.A. function more effectively. Differences in the block paved the way for the BJP in Delhi, he said.

Senior Muslim League leader P K Kunhalikutty said if both I.N.D.I.A. partners stood united, they could have defeated the BJP. However, he said there was no point in blaming a single party for the poll outcome.

Trinamool Congress, which had sought change in leadership in the bloc, has not reacted to the results.

Congress had gone ballistic against Kejriwal during the campaign while Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) openly supported AAP in Delhi polls. SP’s Akhilesh Yadav and Iqra Choudhary and Trinamool’s Shatrughnan Sinha campaigned for AAP.

Incidentally on Friday, Congress top leader Rahul Gandhi held a joint press conference with Raut and NCP (SP)’s Supriya Sule on alleged electoral malpractices in Maharashtra elections. Both Sule and Raut praised Rahul for his fight in protecting the Constitution.

The press conference was seen by a section of I.N.D.I.A. as an attempt to send a signal on Congress’ leadership role in the bloc even if the Delhi results go wrong.

Delhi assembly elections 2025 results | Get all latest updates here

Delhi assembly elections 2025 results | Get constituency-wise details here

Delhi Assembly Election 2025 | The Delhi Assembly Elections saw a fierce contest between AAP and BJP, while Congress despite its best attempts failed to make a mark. The saffron party is all set to make a comeback in the national capital after almost three decades as AAP chief Kejriwal has accepted the people's verdict and looks to be part of a constructive opposition. Reactions from all quarters are pouring in as BJP celebrates its first electoral win in 2025, with Bihar polls slated to take place later this year. Check live updates and track the latest coverage, live news, in-depth opinions, and analyses only on Deccan Herald.

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