In a victory that has reshaped Delhi’s political landscape, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has swept back to power in the national capital after 27 years, securing 48 seats in the 70-member legislative assembly. The results, declared on Saturday, February 8, 2025, saw the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) reduced to 22 seats from its previous tally of 62.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing party workers at BJP headquarters alongside Union Ministers Amit Shah and JP Nadda, began his victory speech with “Yamuna Maiya ki Jai.” (Victory to mother Yamuna – the river). Hours later, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena reportedly told outgoing Chief Minister Atishi during her resignation formalities that her government’s defeat was due to being “cursed by Yamuna Maiya,”.
The February 5 election delivered several significant upsets, including the defeat of AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, who lost his New Delhi constituency to BJP’s Parvesh Verma by 4,089 votes. Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also suffered defeat in Jangpura at the hands of Tarvinder Singh Marwah. However, incumbent Chief Minister Atishi managed to retain her Kalkaji seat, securing a narrow victory over BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri.
The Congress party’s electoral woes in the capital continued as it failed to secure a single seat for the third consecutive time, with most of its candidates losing their deposits. Despite the BJP’s overwhelming seat share, there was merely a 2% difference in vote share between the two primary contenders.
Continuing his address, Modi declared, “The people of Delhi have thrown out AAP-da. Delhi is free from AAP-da of a decade. The mandate of Delhi is clear — development, vision and trust have won in Delhi today.”
Kejriwal, who had resigned as Chief Minister in September last year after being released from prison on bail, gracefully accepted the verdict. “AAP’s political journey had never been about power but about public service,” he said in a video message on X (formerly Twitter). “Now that the people have given their verdict, we will not only play the role of a constructive Opposition but also continue serving society.”
The BJP’s campaign, which didn’t announce a chief ministerial candidate, focused on the promise of a ‘double engine’ government - where the same party rules at both state and federal levels. The party pledged to continue and enhance existing welfare schemes, including free electricity and water supply.
The election marks a significant shift in Delhi’s governance, which has been under AAP control since 2013. The capital’s unique administrative structure, where key decisions related to public order, police, and land are managed by the federally-appointed Lieutenant Governor, has often led to friction between state and central authorities.
The BJP’s victory in Delhi, coming after recent wins in Haryana and Maharashtra, reinforces its political dominance despite setbacks in last year’s general election. For the AAP, which still governs Punjab, the loss of its stronghold raises questions about its future trajectory, particularly given the recent corruption allegations that have plagued its leadership.
The new government’s formation awaits the return of Prime Minister Modi from his US visit, expected around February 14 or 15, after which the oath-taking ceremony for the new MLAs will be scheduled.
