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Delhi Assembly elections: BJP registers landslide victory

According to the numbers declared by the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 48 seats while Aam Aadmi Partry (AAP) won 22 seats. While Congress also contested, they failed to win a single seat.

South First Desk

Published Feb 08, 2025 | 1:06 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 08, 2025 | 8:42 PM

New Telangana BJP President likely to be appointed by end of April

New Telangana BJP President likely to be appointed by end of April (Wikimedia)

Synopsis: The BJP has registered a landslide victory in the Delhi Assembly election. Key AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, and Manish Sisodia lost their seats in a total rout of the party.

On Saturday, 8 February, BJP emerged victorious in the Delhi Assembly elections, by crossing the halfway mark at 4 PM. It registered a landslide victory, returning to power in Delhi after more than two and a half decades.

According to the numbers declared by the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 48 seats while Aam Aadmi Partry (AAP) won 22 seats. While Congress also contested, they failed to win a single seat.

The election was crucial for both AAP and BJP, as the former has been ruling the state for the last two consecutive terms, and the BJP is aiming for a comeback after 27 years.

Former Chief Minister and party convenor Arvind Kejriwal lost the New Delhi seat by 4,089 to BJP’s Parvesh Sahib Singh.

Manish Sisodia lost by 675 votes in the Jangpura constituency to BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah.

Current Chief Minister Atishi, who was trailing in the initial rounds, won by 3,521 votes in the Kajkaji constituency.

Gopal Rai won with 18,994 votes in Babrpur against BJP’s Anil Kumar Vashisht. Amanatullah Khan won the Okhla constituency by 23,639 votes in the nineteenth round.

Kejriwal concedes defeat

Arvind Kejriwal, in a video, conceded defeat, and said, “We accept people’s mandate. I congratulate the BJP on this success, and hope that they fulfil the expectations of the people.”

Highlighting AAP’s works in the past decade, Kejriwal said, “We worked on education, health and infrastructure of the city. With this mandate, we will not only play the role of principal opposition but also serve the people in whatever capacity possible.”

He added, “We did not come into politics for power; we see politics as a medium to serve the people, and we will continue to do so. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to all AAP workers who worked tirelessly and fought a remarkable election”

Manish Sisodia in a video released on the party channel said, “I had never imagined that I would enter politics and serve you as an MLA and a minister. The people of Delhi gave us a chance and I worked for the children and education of Delhi. I will move forward accepting the orders of the public and will continue to work for education throughout my life.”

Chief Minister and Kalkaji MLA Atishi said, “I thank the people of Kalkaji for reposing their faith in me. I congratulate my team which worked against muscle power, hooliganism and violence. We accept the mandate of the people of Delhi. This is the time for war and our fight against the dictatorship and hooliganism of the BJP will continue.”

BJP’s landslide victory

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the voters of Delhi. In an X post he wrote: “Jana Shakti is paramount! Development wins, good governance triumphs. I bow to my dear sisters and brothers of Delhi for this resounding and historic mandate to BJP. We are humbled and honoured to receive these blessings. It is our guarantee that we will leave no stone unturned in developing Delhi, improving the overall quality of life for the people and ensuring that Delhi has a prime role to play in building a Viksit Bharat.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulating the Delhi BJP unit, wrote on X: “Delhiites have shown that the public cannot be mislead by repeated false promises. The public has responded to the dirty Yamuna, dirty drinking water, broken roads, overflowing sewers and liquor shops open in every street with their votes.”

Congress draws blank

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge noted that the mandate was not expected, he further wrote on X: “In the Delhi Assembly elections, the Congress party created an atmosphere against the government in the public interest, but the public did not give us the mandate as expected. We accept the public opinion.”

“Every Congress leader and worker worked unitedly under adverse circumstances, but more hard work and struggle is still required. In the coming days, we will continue to raise the issues of pollution, Yamuna cleaning, electricity, roads, water and development in Delhi and will remain connected with the public.”

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi too conceded defeat and wrote on X in Hindi: “We humbly accept the mandate of Delhi. Heartfelt thanks to all the Congress workers of the state for their dedication and all the voters for their support. This fight for the progress of Delhi and the rights of Delhiites – against pollution, inflation and corruption – will continue.”

Electoral history

From 1998 to 2014, veteran Congress leader late Sheila Dikshit served as Chief Minister of Delhi for three terms, followed by Arvind Kejriwal for two terms.

Several factors – a host of charges against Kejriwal and other AAP leaders, constant conflict between AAP and the LG affecting Delhi’s development, sops offered in the budget for the middle class and BJP’s efficient micromanagement – appear to be contributing to the likely saffron party victory.

Peoples Pulse Delhi Exit Poll: BJP projected for landslide win; AAP stares at single digits

People’s Pulse exit poll

According to Peoples Pulse exit poll projections, that were published on 5 February, BJP was likely to win 51-60 seats.

The survey predicted AAP to garner less than 20 seats and that the incumbent party could possibly be reduced to single digits.

The exit poll further noted, “AAP leads BJP among female voters by just over 8.3 percent. However, among men, more than half (53 percent) prefer BJP with AAP far behind at 35 percent. BJP has gained support among voters of all age groups – from 18 to 25 to those beyond 50.”

The survey further predicted, “Religion-wise, 59.1 percent of Hindus back BJP compared to 32.1 percent favouring AAP. However, AAP has the support of 70.5 percent of Muslims, as well as most Sikhs (54.2 percent). Among caste groups, BJP leads among Brahmins, Rajputs, Jats, Baniyas and Agarwals, while AAP maintains support among Jatavs, Chamars and Valmikis. Looking at preferences of voters from different regions, AAP is marginally ahead only among Punjabis and South Indians. All others – Delhi locals and those from UP/Bihar-Purvanchal, Kashmir and Northeast, as well as Marwaris – favour the BJP.”

(Edited by Sumavarsha)

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