Delhi Election Analysis 2025

What are the reasons behind the BJP's victory in the Delhi elections after many years?

The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) return to power in Delhi after nearly three decades was driven by a combination of political, economic, and strategic factors. The growing anti-incumbency sentiment against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), fueled by corruption allegations and unmet promises, created an opportunity for BJP to re-establish its presence. The party effectively tapped into middle-class concerns by offering tax benefits and welfare schemes while also capitalizing on the appeal of ‘double-engine’ governance for streamlined administration. A well-planned campaign, combined with targeted incentives like free bus travel and fuel subsidies, helped sway undecided voters. The decline of the Congress further consolidated votes in BJP's favor. The party’s strong messaging on development and governance resonated with the electorate, reinforcing public demand for change. The BJP's strategy for the 2025 Delhi elections focused on multiple key areas to defeat AAP. They highlighted corruption allegations against AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, to weaken the party’s clean image. At the same time, BJP promised to expand welfare schemes, providing financial support to the poor, women, and the elderly. Their campaign also emphasized better governance, with a focus on improving education and healthcare services. Prime Minister Narendra Modi played a major role in the campaign, directly connecting with voters and addressing local issues. A big credit for the BJP's win in Delhi could also be given to Rahul Gandhi. The Congress leader took upon himself to personally roast and attack Kejriwal.During the campaign, he singled out Kejriwal and even equated him with PM Modi, alleging that they were two sides of the same coin. Taking a direct jab at the AAP supremo, Rahul had said, "Arvind Kejriwal WagonR mein aaye, sweater pehne aur khambe pe chadh gaye. Phir khambe se utre aur seedha sheesh Mahal mein gaye (Arvind Kejriwal came in a small car-a WagonR-wearing a sweater and climbed an electric pole. After coming down, he went straight to the 'Sheesh Mahal' (glass palace) with automatic doors and big TVs)".Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again proved to be the star campaigner for the BJP. Despite having no CM face in Delhi, BJP registers yet another win in assembly elections riding on PM Modi's popularity. During the election campaign, PM Modi personally took charge of targeting Arvind Kejriwal.True to his style, PM Modi started calling Kejriwal's party an 'AAPda' (disaster) for Delhi. He also took 'Farziwal' jibes at Kejriwal accusing him of being fake and corrupt.In fact, PM Modi also focused on attacking Kejriwal during his Lok Sabha speech a day before Delhi elections.These factors collectively led to BJP’s decisive victory, marking a historic shift in Delhi’s political landscape.

What are the reasons behind the AAP party's loss in the 2025 Delhi elections?

The Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) defeat in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections resulted from a combination of leadership challenges, corruption allegations, internal dissent, and an effective BJP campaign. Arvind Kejriwal’s personal loss signified declining voter confidence in the party, while corruption charges against key leaders further eroded public trust. Internal conflicts and criticism of Kejriwal’s leadership deepened the crisis.The BJP's well-executed campaign, coupled with growing public demand for change after a decade of AAP rule, worked in the BJP’s favor. These factors collectively led to AAP’s downfall, marking the end of its ten-year governance in Delhi. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), once known for its anti-corruption stance, faced severe setbacks due to multiple corruption allegations. The arrest of Arvind Kejriwal and other ministers in the Delhi Liquor Policy case significantly damaged the party’s credibility.The resignation of seven AAP MLAs in early 2025 further highlighted internal dissatisfaction, with leaders accusing the party of deviating from its founding principles.In 2020, reducing Delhi air pollution was one of the 10 "guarantees of Kejriwal".This year, "Kejriwal's guarantee" did not mention pollution anywhere. In the last 10 years, the AAP government has pointed fingers at neighbouring states and refused to take responsibility for air pollution.These events not only tarnished AAP's image but also contributed to a loss of public trust, weakening its political standing.

What are the reasons behind the Congress party not getting a single seat in the Delhi elections?

Congress has faced a steady decline in its national popularity, which has had a significant impact on its performance in state and regional elections, including the Delhi Assembly elections. The Congress party's failure to win any seats in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections stemmed from a weakened voter base, internal leadership struggles, and ineffective campaign strategies. The rise of AAP had already eroded Congress's traditional support, while organizational disarray further weakened its position. Strategic voting also played a role, as many Congress supporters shifted to AAP to counter the BJP. The party failed to address key local issues, making it less appealing to voters. As a result, Congress’s weakening national influence translated into poor electoral performance in Delhi, with many voters opting for AAP or BJP, as they were seen as more relevant and capable of bringing about the changes the city needed.These factors collectively led to Congress’s continued decline, highlighting its struggle to regain relevance in Delhi’s political landscape.