After 27 yearsjpwinner gaming, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is storming back to power in Delhi, toppling three-time CM Arvind Kejriwal, who lost his own seat along with AAP heavyweights Manish Sisodia, Saurabh Bhardwaj and Satyendar Jain. Earlier in the day, trends suggested a possible contest but as the numbers rolled in, the tide decisively turned in the BJP's favour. By 1:45 pm, ECI trends showed a clear 48-22 lead for the saffron party.
For the first time ever, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has been in power since the first time it contested elections will sit in the opposition. Kejriwal, once the formidable force that kept both the BJP and the Congress at bay with his pro-people policies and welfare-driven governance, failed to strike a chord with voters this time.
The AAP faced several setbacks, starting with the alleged liquor scam that landed CM Arvind Kejriwal, senior leader Manish Sisodia and others in jail. The controversy shattered Kejriwal’s image as an anti-corruption reformer, painting him as corrupt—guilty or not, perception mattered. The party’s clean image took a hit, likely swaying Delhi voters. Adding to the trouble, several AAP MLAs switched sides to the BJP.
Delhi Election Result 2025 LIVE: 'Dilli Ne Dil Kholkar Pyaar Diya', Says PM Modi; BJP Wins 48 Seats Out Of 70 slots of vegasSince coming to power in 2013 with the Congress' backing, the AAP has governed Delhi for two straight terms. So naturally, it couldn’t escape accountability and blame any other party for lapses in governance and development. The BJP made the most of this, spotlighting the AAP’s unfulfilled commitments, from upgrading infrastructure to tackling pollution. Anti-incumbency sentiment for Kejriwal grew during his term.
A key issue during the campaign was the Yamuna’s worsening condition. The toxic, frothing river became a powerful symbol of the AAP’s failed promises, with both the BJP and the Congress using it to attack Kejriwal’s government.
The AAP’s struggles in Punjab also played a role in its downfall in Delhi. When the party won Punjab in 2022 with a massive mandate, promises like 300 units of free electricity and ₹1,000 per month for women over 18 helped secure voter trust. However, the ₹1,og777000 stipend remained unfulfilled leading to protests as women demanded the aid they were promised, accusing AAP of betraying them. This failure dented Kejriwal’s credibility, as his governance model—once the AAP’s biggest selling point—was now under question. During the Delhi campaign, Opposition parties capitalised on this, arguing that if the AAP couldn’t deliver in Punjab, it couldn’t be trusted in Delhi either.
Delhi Election Result 2025: BJP's Comeback Or AAP's Loss?, Counting Underway | In PicturesBeyond the AAP’s failures, the BJP had several factors working in its favour. While the AAP once stood out for its schemes reducing electricity and water bills and offering free bus rides to women, these benefits were no longer unique—the BJP promised to continue them while introducing its own schemes, appealing to the middle class. Throughout the campaign, BJP leaders also emphasised that issues of civic governance and infrastructure would be better handled by a "double-engine" government, a message that could have contributed to their win.
The Union Budget which arrived just days before the election possibly have influenced voters. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s move to exempt income up to ₹12 lakh likely swayed Delhi's middle-class voters.
Defending champions India will now face off against China, who beat Pakistan in the first semi-final.
This election saw the BJP pull out its biggest guns, with leaders like Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and Yogi Adityanath actively campaigning on the ground. According to a report by The Indian Express, the RSS also played a key role in the BJP’s campaign through a silent but strategic grassroots effort. Delhi’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) unit, divided into eight zones, organised nearly 50,000 small-group “drawing room meetings” in homes, offices, schools, and public spaces to “educate” voters. Even before the election dates were announced, the target was set at 60,000 such meetings.
With official results still coming in and counting underwayjpwinner gaming, BJP edges closer to a historic win. Speculation is now rife over the party’s CM pick, with Parvesh Verma—who defeated Arvind Kejriwal—emerging as a strong contender.