Fall of Broom and Bloom of Lotus: Hat-trick zero for Congress; BJP's mass comeback in Delhi after 27 years

NEW DELHI: BJP's mass comeback in Delhi after 27 years. Modi's "double engine" government in the national capital too. The Aam Aadmi Party was defeated in the assembly elections with the anti-incumbency wave. The victory that defeated Aam Aadmi leader Arvind Kejriwal became doubly sweet for BJP.

BJP won 48 out of 70 assembly seats. BJP had won only eight seats in 2020. The AAP, which had won 62 seats then, was reduced to 22 seats by BJP. Congress, which once ruled the capital, has been reduced to zero for the third time in a row. The vote share of the CPM, CPI and BSP parties is below 'NOTA'.

BJP has intensified its cabinet formation moves. Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, who defeated Kejriwal, is likely to be made the Chief Minister. Kapil Mishra, Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Satish Upadhyay are also being considered.

Kejriwal's defeat shocked the Aam Aadmi Party. Kejriwal, who entered the scene as an anti-corruption hero, is leaving with a bad reputation as a corrupt person. People did not listen to his promise to come back with a clean slate. Kejriwal lost by 4,089 votes in the New Delhi seat. The only consolation for AAP was the victory of Chief Minister Atishi in the Kalkaji constituency.

Prominent Leaders who lost

1. Arvind Kejriwal
2. Manish Sisodia (Former Deputy Chief Minister)
3. Saurabh Bhardwaj (Health Minister)

Vote Percentage

Aam Aadmi Party

2020- 53.7%

2025- 43.55%

BJP

2020- 38.51%

2025- 45.89%

Congress

2020- 4.26%

2025- 6.35%

BJP's perfect strategy

• Win the trust of middle class and women voters
• Promises like houses, free electricity, water for slum dwellers
• Budget announcement exempting those with annual income up to Rs 12 lakh from income tax
• Success in polarizing majority votes
• Promises like Rs 2500 per month for women, Rs 500 gas cylinder

Where did Aam Aadmi Party go wrong?

• The liquor policy scandal damaged Kejriwal's image as an anti-corruption fighter
• The renovation of his official residence at a cost of 33 crores damaged his image as a common man
• Strong action could not be taken against excessive air pollution
• Kejriwal's remark that Haryana people poisoned the water
• No focus on infrastructure development, people were overwhelmed by garbage

"We accept the verdict of the people and I congratulate the BJP for their victory in the Delhi elections. I hope they fulfill their promises."

- Aam Aadmi leader Kejriwal

"I am so proud of each and every BJP Karyakarta, who has worked very hard, leading to this outstanding result. We will work even more vigorously and serve the wonderful people of Delhi,"

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi