The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has achieved a remarkable victory in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, marking the end of Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) decade-long dominance. With the counting of votes concluding, the BJP secured 48 seats, leaving AAP trailing with 22 seats and Congress failing to win a single seat.
According to early trends, the BJP's performance aligns with predictions from numerous exit polls, forecasting the BJP's comeback after decades. Notably, the NDTV Poll of Exit Polls had predicted the BJP to win 41 seats, AAP 28, and Congress just one seat. Meanwhile, several exit polls, including those from Axis My India and Today's Chanakya, pointed to significantly higher seat counts for the BJP, hinting at its strong advantage.
This electoral shift is said to signify the culmination of AAP's long-standing hold on Delhi's political scene. Kejriwal, who has held the New Delhi seat since 2013, lost the contest to BJP's Parvesh Verma by approximately 1,200 votes. Amid the unrest surrounding his governance and unresolved corruption allegations, many analysts believed the vote would reflect electoral fatigue and disenchantment among AAP's core voter base.
The election itself unfolded on February 5, and as trends rolled in, social media exploded with memes targeting Kejriwal and AAP, with comparisons being made to cricketer Virat Kohli crying, adding humor to the dramatic political showdown. Amid these memes, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah commented on the fractured relationship between the AAP and Congress, signaling the failed alliance within the opposing front against the BJP.
Further scrutiny was directed at AAP top leaders like Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and others who conceded defeat early on, acknowledging the extent of their party's loss. Kejriwal, upon his defeat, noted, "The people's decision is supreme. I congratulate the BJP on its victory, and I hope they meet the expectations set upon them by the voters." Meanwhile, Atishi, the outgoing Delhi Chief Minister, called the result "a setback for AAP, but they will continue to fight against the BJP."
Political analysts suggest the BJP's significant lead isn’t merely driven by dissatisfaction with AAP but also due to effective strategies targeting middle-class voters and women. Strategies such as hiked personal income tax rebate ceilings and financial transparency have contributed to the BJP's re-engagement with these demographics, historically favorable to AAP.
Coupled with this political revival, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to express gratitude for the BJP's success, stating, "Development and good governance have triumphed. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who made this historic win possible." This proclamation not only celebrates victory but also sets the tone for the governance model to be employed under BJP's reign.
The overall vote margin indicated a notable shift from previous elections where AAP captured 67 seats in 2015 and 62 seats in 2020. Congress's failure to secure even one seat, meanwhile, led to social media humor where Rahul Gandhi was humorously depicted struggling with zeros, criticizing the party's absence from Delhi's political race completely.
With the election results now clear, the fate of the INDIA alliance also faces scrutiny. Both Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi, symbols of opposition unity, are now dealing with internal strife and public criticisms as their parties failed to cope with the rise of the BJP. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate remarked, "The onus of making the AAP win is not on the Congress; we must look for fertile political bastions elsewhere." This hints at the broader tensions within the opposition parties as they confront the political ascendancy of the BJP.
Arvind Kejriwal's defeat and AAP's dismal representation raises questions about the future of the party, particularly with corruption allegations still looming. For Delhi voters, the election is seen as the fallout of AAP's unfulfilled promises including infrastructural commitments and management of the Yamuna water crisis.
Overall, the 2025 Delhi Assembly election showcases not just the BJP's re-establishment of power, but also highlights fundamental shifts within political alliances, voter sentiments, and governance practices moving forward. Political analysts have anticipated this change for some time, but the manner of execution—resulting from perceived failed leadership at both AAP and Congress—has dramatically shifted the face of governance and political strategy for Delhi as it enters this new era under BJP's rule.