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New Delhi - In a dramatic political shift, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has secured a decisive victory in Delhi's 2025 assembly elections, winning 48 out of 70 seats and marking their return to power in the capital after a 27-year hiatus. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which dominated the 2020 elections with 62 seats, has been reduced to just 22 seats, while Congress failed to secure any representation.
The election results come amid AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal's imprisonment over alleged corruption charges in the excise scam. Former AAP leaders and critics have attributed the party's downfall to its deviation from its founding principles.
Prashant Bhushan, a prominent lawyer and former AAP member, criticized Kejriwal's leadership style, stating, "Kejriwal is largely responsible for AAP's Delhi debacle. A party formed for alternative politics which was supposed to be transparent, accountable & democratic was quickly transformed into a supremo dominated, non-transparent & corrupt party." Bhushan particularly pointed to Kejriwal's construction of a ₹45 crore 'sheesh mahal' and the abandonment of 33 detailed policy reports.
Yogendra Yadav, co-founder of Swaraj India and another founding member of AAP who was expelled in 2015, called the defeat "a huge setback not just for the AAP but all those who dreamt of alternative politics in this country 10-12 years ago." He noted that the party had shifted its focus from alternative politics to welfare schemes that eventually reached a saturation point.
The results mark a stark contrast to Kejriwal's political journey, which began as an RTI activist living in Delhi's slums and later emerged as a key figure in Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement. Under his leadership, AAP had achieved remarkable victories in 2015 and 2020, securing 67 and 62 seats respectively.
BJP's NDMC Vice Chairman Kuljeet Singh Chahal celebrated the victory, stating it represents public rejection of "Kejriwal's corruption, Sheesh mahal, and liquor scam." The BJP is yet to announce its chief ministerial candidate, with party leaders indicating the decision will come from the top leadership.
This election outcome not only represents a significant shift in Delhi's political landscape but also raises questions about the future of alternative politics in India. As the BJP prepares to form the government after nearly three decades, the results may have far-reaching implications for both regional and national politics.
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