Posted on February 10, 2025
After 27 years, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made a significant comeback in Delhi, securing a majority in the Delhi Assembly elections. The Election Commission reported that the BJP won 47 out of 70 seats, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had governed the union territory for a decade, managed only 23 seats. This victory marks a significant shift in Delhi’s political landscape, ending AAP’s dominance and reaffirming the BJP’s strong position in national politics.
Key Factors Behind BJP’s Victory
Several factors contributed to the BJP’s win in the Delhi Assembly elections:
Anti-Incumbency Against AAP: AAP, which had been in power since 2013, struggled to overcome anti-incumbency sentiments. Despite efforts to refresh their candidate list, the perception of certain MLAs being inaccessible and out of touch with their constituents persisted. This dissatisfaction among the public played a crucial role in the BJP’s resurgence.
Focus on the Middle Class: The Union budget, with its emphasis on tax relief for the middle class, appears to have resonated well with Delhi voters. This strategic focus on the middle class likely contributed to the BJP gaining their support after a long hiatus.
The Image of Narendra Modi: The BJP’s victory in Delhi underscores Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s enduring image as a formidable election winner. This win, following significant Assembly poll victories in Haryana and Maharashtra, reinforces the credibility of “Modi’s guarantees” and his promise of “good governance”.
Vote Division: The AAP and Congress, both members of the INDIA bloc, contested separately, which led to a split in the anti-BJP vote. This division indirectly benefited the BJP, allowing them to secure a larger vote share.
Performance of Key Parties
BJP: The BJP secured a majority with 47 seats, marking a significant comeback after 27 years. The party’s vote share increased to 45.56%, a notable rise from 38.51% in 2020.
AAP: AAP secured only 23 seats. The party experienced a nearly 10% drop in its vote share, falling from 53.57% in 2020 to 43.57% in the 2025 elections.
Congress: Congress failed to win any seats for the third consecutive time[2][6]. However, the party saw a marginal improvement in its vote share, increasing to 6.34% from 4.3% in 2020[6]. Despite not winning any seats, Congress’s vote share impacted the outcome in several constituencies, cutting into AAP’s margins in key seats.
Key Battles and Candidates
The election saw intense competition in several key constituencies:
In New Delhi, the AAP leader faced off against BJP’s Parvesh Verma and Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit.
The Chief Minister contested against BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri and Congress’s Alka Lamba.
In Jangpura, a former Deputy Chief Minister competed against BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah and Congress’s Farhad Suri.
Turnout and Election Day Incidents
The Delhi Assembly elections recorded a voter turnout of 59.71%, which is lower than the 62.59% turnout in 2020[2]. The election day was marked by accusations of electoral malpractices between AAP and BJP, with both parties blaming each other for voting irregularities.
Implications of the Result
The BJP’s victory in Delhi has several significant implications:
Reaffirmation of BJP’s Dominance: The win reinforces the BJP’s political strength and its ability to win elections in diverse states.
Impact on National Politics: Defeating AAP in Delhi is a significant achievement for the BJP, as AAP had challenged the BJP’s dominance in the northern region.
Future Governance in Delhi: The BJP will now govern Delhi for the first time in 27 years, with the opportunity to implement its policies and vision for the capital city. This includes focusing on infrastructure development, education reforms, and public welfare programs.
Challenges for AAP: AAP will need to reassess its strategies and address the issues that led to its defeat. This includes reconnecting with voters and addressing concerns about governance and accessibility.
Conclusion
The 2025 Delhi Assembly elections marked a significant turning point in the capital’s political history. The BJP’s victory, driven by anti-incumbency, strategic focus on the middle class, and the enduring appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has reshaped the political landscape. While the BJP celebrates its comeback, AAP faces the challenge of regaining its lost ground, and Congress seeks to rebuild its influence in the capital. The results of this election will have long-lasting implications for the governance and political dynamics of Delhi.