BJP Reclaims Delhi After 27 Years, Ousts AAP from Power

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has successfully reclaimed power in Delhi, ending the decade-long rule of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). In a decisive victory, the BJP secured 48 out of 70 seats in the Delhi legislative assembly, marking their return to power in the state after 27 years. The election results, announced on Saturday, highlight a strategic shift by the BJP to woo the middle class, a demographic they had lost over two decades ago.

The AAP, led by Arvind Kejriwal, managed to retain only 22 seats. This loss reflects the party's failure to deliver on key poll pledges regarding healthcare and job creation. Although AAP maintained support among poorer sections of society through initiatives like free electricity, water, and quality education, it was not enough to secure victory. Kejriwal's political journey, which began a decade ago amidst public outrage over corruption, now faces significant challenges as controversies continue to mount.

Kejriwal's leadership hit a major setback with his personal defeat to BJP candidate Parvesh Verma, leading to his ousting as chief minister. The AAP's decline is attributed to its waning anti-corruption image and an ongoing investigation into alleged bribery within liquor distribution channels involving party officials.

"BJP managed to inch past AAP by wooing the middle class who had turned away from the party [BJP] 27 years ago. Kejriwal wanted to focus on the bottom of the pyramid, but only succeeded partially once his anti-corruption image faded away," – Yashwant Deshmukh

This electoral triumph marks BJP's third significant state election victory following successes in Haryana and Maharashtra in late 2024. Despite losing an outright majority in last year's parliamentary elections, BJP's strategic focus on reclaiming state dominance seems to be paying off.

Yashwant Deshmukh, a political commentator and founder of C-Voter, provided insight into AAP's downfall. He noted that while Kejriwal aimed to focus on grassroots concerns, the diminishing anti-corruption stance left many unfulfilled promises behind. This shift in voter sentiment reflects the broader political landscape where performance on key issues becomes pivotal.