Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has ended its 27-year exile in the Delhi Assembly, securing a landslide victory over the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Arvind Kejriwal’s party suffered a humiliating defeat, with most of its top leaders failing to retain their seats.
Winners of Delhi Elections
1. BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi
• The BJP’s decisive victory in Delhi marks its third major electoral success in four months, following wins in Haryana and Maharashtra.
• The landslide win reflects public approval of the Modi government’s policies, including the tax relief in the Union Budget 2025.
• PM Modi once again proved to be the party’s strongest campaigner, steering BJP to a dominant position in the national capital.
2. Parvesh Verma (BJP)
• In a high-stakes battle, BJP leader Parvesh Verma defeated Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi by 4,089 votes.
• Verma, son of former Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma, had the challenging task of defeating the three-time Delhi CM.
• His victory ended Kejriwal’s decade-long hold over the New Delhi seat and positioned him as a strong contender for the Chief Minister’s post.
3. Tarvinder Singh Marwah (BJP)
• Another giant slayer, Tarvinder Singh Marwah defeated former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia in Jangpura by 675 votes.
• Marwah, a three-time former Congress MLA, had switched to BJP in 2022 after failing to meet Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for a discussion on his political future.
4. Atishi (AAP)
• As AAP heavyweights fell, Atishi retained the Kalkaji seat, defeating BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri and Congress’s Alka Lamba by 3,521 votes.
• One of AAP’s last-standing leaders, her win could position her as the Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly.
• She stated, “We accept the people’s mandate. The fight against BJP will continue.”
5. Sandeep Dikshit (Congress)
• Though Sandeep Dikshit lost in New Delhi, he played a crucial role in denting Kejriwal’s vote share, contributing to AAP’s loss.
• Son of former CM Sheila Dikshit, he was finally given a ticket from his mother’s bastion, which had become AAP’s stronghold since 2013.
Losers of Delhi Elections
6. Arvind Kejriwal (AAP)
• The biggest loser of this election, Kejriwal lost his seat to Parvesh Verma and suffered a major credibility crisis.
• After stepping down as CM and seeking a “certificate of honesty” from voters, Kejriwal was rejected by the electorate.
• His defeat marks AAP’s most significant setback since its formation in 2012.
7. Manish Sisodia (AAP)
• Once a key strategist, Sisodia lost to BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah in Jangpura after switching from Patparganj, where he was a three-term MLA.
• Jailed for 18 months over the liquor policy scam, his loss further highlights AAP’s deepening crisis.
8. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
• After ruling Delhi for a decade, AAP is now left with only Punjab as its sole governing state.
• The anti-incumbency wave against AAP, fueled by corruption allegations and governance failures, resulted in its worst electoral performance.
• AAP’s national expansion plans now face an uncertain future.
9. Congress
• Congress failed to win a single seat in Delhi for the third consecutive time, despite mounting an aggressive campaign led by Rahul Gandhi.
• The party, which ruled Delhi for 15 consecutive years (1998-2013), remains completely rejected by the electorate.
• A small consolation was its slightly improved vote share, increasing by approximately 2% from 2020.
10. INDIA Bloc
• The infighting between AAP and Congress led to a complete disaster for the INDIA bloc in Delhi.
• Omar Abdullah’s viral post, “Aur lado aapas mein” (Keep fighting among yourselves), summed up the mood.
• The Samajwadi Party (SP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC), which backed AAP, also face embarrassment.
• This loss could signal deeper cracks in the opposition alliance ahead of the 2029 general elections.
Notable Mention: Rahul Gandhi
• Despite Congress’ failure, Rahul Gandhi played a key role in tarnishing Kejriwal’s image, ensuring AAP’s defeat.
• His campaign strategy may have helped weaken AAP within the INDIA bloc, cementing Congress’ dominance over its smaller allies.
