Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, ending the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) decade-long governance. The BJP secured 47 out of 70 seats, marking its return to power in the capital after 27 years, while AAP managed only 23 seats. The Congress party faced a third consecutive wipeout, failing to win even a single seat.
AAP’s national convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who lost his New Delhi constituency to BJP’s Parvesh Verma by 4,089 votes, gracefully accepted defeat. In a heartfelt video message, Kejriwal congratulated the BJP, expressing hope that the party would fulfill its promises to Delhiites. He emphasized AAP’s commitment to serving as a “constructive opposition” while reflecting on his government’s achievements in education, healthcare, and infrastructure over the past decade.
The BJP’s victory was fueled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s widespread appeal, anti-incumbency sentiment, and a strategic narrative branding AAP as “AAPda” (calamity). Analysts highlighted Modi’s “Vikas and good governance” slogan, which resonated with voters, including a surprising 12-13% support from Muslim communities—a significant jump from previous elections. The party also capitalized on corruption allegations against AAP leaders, particularly the Delhi excise scam, which tarnished Kejriwal’s anti-graft image.
Amid the saffron surge, AAP’s outgoing Chief Minister Atishi managed to retain her Kalkaji seat, defeating BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri by over 3,000 votes. However, other AAP heavyweights, including former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, faced crushing defeats. The election also saw unprecedented party crossovers, with over 40 candidates switching allegiances. Notably, BJP’s Parvesh Verma—son of former Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma—emerged as a “giant slayer” after dethroning Kejriwal, crediting his win to PM Modi’s leadership.
The opposition INDIA alliance, comprising parties like CPI(M) and IUML, blamed internal disunity for BJP’s triumph. Meanwhile, AAP raised concerns about electoral transparency after the Election Commission delayed uploading Form 17C data, which details votes cast via EVMs. Despite these challenges, Kejriwal vowed to continue grassroots efforts, signaling AAP’s resolve to rebuild ahead of future polls.
As Delhi prepares for a BJP-led government, the outcome underscores a seismic shift in voter priorities—from local governance to national leadership—and sets the stage for a renewed political rivalry in the capital.
