Delhi Assembly Elections 2025| BJP cracks winning formula, AAP cracks more than a rib

The results of the Delhi Assembly Elections are much more an indictment of Arvind Kejriwal’s brand of politics rather than a defeat of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

One may go on to argue — it is not a positive vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), or even an outcome of the corruption charges against AAP, and cases against Kejriwal, but it is essentially his own undoing by what many considered to be a politics of disingenuity.

This is evident from not only what his political opponents and former allies like the Congress say about him but the angst of his estranged associates. Kejriwal losing his own seat is also a testimony of his lost sheen.

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Thus, the implications of this outcome on the national scene and the future of AAP — not just as a political party but also an idea of alternative politics that it had promised — is of greater importance than the results per se.

First, it has put paid to AAP’s national ambitions at least in the immediate future. However, it will be more interesting to watch how the internal power dynamics within AAP unravel. It will start with Kejriwal’s ability to keep together his flock.

Despite getting a comfortable majority, the BJP would not be averse to augmenting the treasury benches with some migration from the Opposition — like it has happened in Maharashtra with MLAs shifting from Shiv Sena UBT to Shiv Sena Shinde.

But will Kejriwal’s status as ‘leader’ in AAP come under threat? For example, how would someone like Manish Sisodia react? He could well be harbouring a grudge against Kejriwal for throwing him under the bus and may hold him responsible for his defeat. Will Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann want to come out of his shadows and assert his independence? While the Congress has already cut its ties with AAP, how will it affect Kejriwal’s standing among the remaining I.N.D.I.A. partners — some of whom had even campaigned for him in Delhi?

The Congress had little to lose in these elections except for its relevance. It has emerged as the ‘NOTA’ party of sorts in as much as those who were disenchanted with AAP but were anti-BJP voted for the Congress. This may put an ally like the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in a spot in the coming Bihar elections. The RJD will have a Hobson’s choice between taking the Congress as an ally and giving away a few seats or go it alone, where it runs the risk of losing some vote share. Given the Congress’ performance in Maharashtra, Haryana, and even Jharkhand, the RJD may opt for being safe than sorry by securing its own voter base rather than sharing an already reduced pie. In any case, the Congress now appears to be more concerned with building Rahul Gandhi’s image for 2029 rather than winning elections. 

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seems to have cracked the formula of tackling the freebies trap and fragmentation of its core voter base. On the former it has pretty much given up on fighting a losing battle, and as seen in the Ladli Behna Yojana of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra or guaranteeing continuation of all AAP schemes (and upping them in some cases). On the second, it has gone back to the drawing board of engaging the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) network for ground mobilisation instead of relying solely on a strategy of aerial carpet-bombing by Narendra Modi and replacing volunteers (karyakartas) with a professional field force for last mile coverage and booth management. These are lessons learnt from the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. 

What does this augur for the immediate future both for Delhi and India? Tired of political confrontation and impasse of 10 years, the people of Delhi will look forward to improved governance and development of the urban infrastructure to international standards as behoves the national capital of a country aspiring to be the third largest economy of the world.

At a national level, with Delhi under its belt, the BJP can overcome the diffidence it had seemingly developed after June 2024. With developments on the global geo-political scenario and decisive electoral victories at home, hopefully it will have a temporary respite from disruptions. This should allow the Union government to focus on the economy by pushing reforms that were put on the backburner. 

Sandip Ghose is a current affairs commentator and marketing professional. X: @SandipGhose.

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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