Paromita Das
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 8th Feb. A Historic Shift Unfolds in Delhi
The Delhi Assembly Elections 2025 have reached their final stage, and the early trends indicate a decisive lead for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This signals what could be a historic political shift in the national capital, bringing an end to the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) decade-long dominance under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal. If these trends hold, BJP will return to power in Delhi after 27 years, reshaping the political landscape of the capital.
As counting progresses, AAP is trailing in key constituencies, including New Delhi, where Arvind Kejriwal himself is struggling to hold his seat against BJP’s Parvesh Verma. Meanwhile, the Congress party, which once ruled Delhi for 15 years, is virtually absent from the race, confirming its continued decline in the state.
With the official results expected later today, the focus now shifts to how this shift will impact governance in Delhi, what led to BJP’s resurgence, and what this means for the opposition, particularly the INDIA bloc, which seems to be crumbling under internal rivalries.
Priyanka Gandhi’s Disengagement: A Symbol of Congress’s Irrelevance in Delhi
As the vote counting progresses, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s reaction to the Delhi elections has caught public attention. While traveling through Kannur Airport in Kerala, she was asked about the ongoing vote trends in Delhi, to which she casually responded, “I don’t know, I haven’t checked the results yet.”
This remark highlights Congress’s diminishing role in Delhi politics. Unlike the intense battles of the past, where Congress played a central role, the party has been largely irrelevant in this election, failing to mount a significant challenge against either AAP or BJP. The statement also raises questions about the party’s seriousness in countering the BJP at the national level, given that Delhi is the political heart of Bharat.
The Numbers So Far: BJP Takes a Comfortable Lead
According to the latest data from the Election Commission of India, BJP is leading in 42 out of the 70 assembly seats, with AAP trailing at 28. The Congress party has failed to gain a lead in even a single constituency, reaffirming its irrelevance in Delhi politics.
One of the biggest surprises in this election has been the battle for New Delhi, where Arvind Kejriwal is struggling against BJP’s Parvesh Verma. The margin between the two candidates has been fluctuating, but Kejriwal, who was once the face of the anti-corruption movement and the undisputed leader of Delhi, now finds himself in the toughest fight of his political career.
With a total voter turnout of 60.54%, it seems that AAP has failed to mobilize the same level of enthusiasm among voters as in previous elections, while BJP has capitalized on growing anti-incumbency sentiment.
Omar Abdullah Mocks Congress and AAP’s Internal Rivalry
The biggest irony of this election is that AAP and Congress—both members of the INDIA bloc—decided to contest against each other, rather than forming a joint front against BJP. This decision to contest separately has clearly backfired, splitting the opposition vote and giving BJP a clear path to victory.
Reacting to this blunder, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, a senior leader of the National Conference (another INDIA bloc member), took to social media to mock Congress and AAP. Sharing a popular meme, he wrote:
“Aur lado aapas mein!!!” (Fight amongst yourselves some more!!!)
His sarcastic comment reflects the deep cracks within the INDIA bloc, which was formed to counter BJP at the national level but has so far struggled to stay united. Abdullah had previously questioned the very existence of the INDIA bloc, and this Delhi election debacle further exposes the alliance’s lack of cohesion and strategy.
Why BJP is Winning: Factors Behind Its Resurgence in Delhi
Several factors have contributed to BJP’s strong performance in the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025. The most notable among them are:
- Modi Factor and Strong Leadership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity continues to be a key factor in BJP’s success. His strong governance record, nationalistic appeal, and direct connection with voters have helped BJP expand its voter base in Delhi, where it had previously struggled.
- AAP’s Governance Fatigue and Corruption Allegations
AAP’s 10-year rule in Delhi has witnessed both highs and lows, but recent years have seen growing public dissatisfaction over issues such as:
- Unfulfilled promises on infrastructure and public transport
- Water and electricity supply issues
- Allegations of corruption in the liquor policy scam
The arrest of multiple AAP leaders in corruption cases has also damaged the party’s clean image, which was once its strongest selling point.
- Congress’s Weakness and Opposition Disunity
With Congress failing to present a strong challenge, the anti-BJP vote has been scattered and ineffective. AAP and Congress contesting separately has only benefited BJP, as the opposition vote got divided instead of consolidating against the ruling party.
- BJP’s Focus on Development and Law and Order
BJP’s campaign focused heavily on development, infrastructure, and law and order, contrasting its strong governance approach against AAP’s welfare-driven model. This appealed to middle-class voters, who prioritize economic growth and security over free electricity and water schemes.
What This Means for Delhi’s Political Future
If BJP secures a clear majority, it will mark a major turning point in Delhi politics. For years, Delhi has been AAP’s stronghold, and BJP’s failure to win the state has been a glaring gap in its otherwise dominant electoral record. A victory here would cement BJP’s position as the most dominant political force in Bharat, showing that even in urban, non-traditional BJP strongholds, the party can successfully challenge incumbents.
For AAP, a loss in Delhi would be devastating. It would lose its most powerful base, making it even weaker in the national political arena. The party’s ambitions of expanding its footprint beyond Delhi and Punjab would suffer a major setback, and Arvind Kejriwal’s political future could become uncertain.
For Congress, this election proves once again that the party has no roadmap for revival in Delhi. Its inability to strategically align with AAP, despite being part of the INDIA bloc, shows a lack of political foresight and leadership.
Conclusion: A New Chapter for Delhi Politics
As Delhi awaits the final election results, it is clear that BJP is heading for a decisive victory, marking its return to power in the national capital after 27 years. The opposition’s failure to unite, AAP’s declining appeal, and BJP’s effective election strategy have all contributed to this historic shift.
For Delhiites, this election will determine whether a new BJP-led government can deliver on its promises and bring long-term infrastructural and governance improvements to the city. For AAP and Congress, it is a moment of reckoning, forcing them to rethink their political strategy and adapt to the changing electoral landscape.
The 2025 Delhi Assembly Elections may very well be remembered as the election that reshaped the future of the national capital, setting the stage for the next phase of Bharatiya politics.
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