BJP's Resurgence Ends AAP's Dominance in Delhi

The 2025 Delhi assembly elections have taken an unexpected turn, marking a significant upheaval in the capital's political scene. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), after being out of the fray for decades, is on the verge of forming the government, as they are slated to make a resounding comeback with the results indicating a complete change of guard. With the vote counting kickoff at 8 AM on February 8th, signs quickly pointed to BJP eclipsing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had been at the helm for three consecutive terms.

In the 2020 elections, AAP had a strong grip on the city, with Arvind Kejriwal's governance being praised for impactful education and healthcare reforms. However, in this election cycle, BJP seems to have flipped the narrative, as exit polls suggest they are comfortably surpassing the majority mark with an estimated 45 to 55 seats in hand. This shift in power brings to a close a substantial chapter in Delhi politics, with BJP potentially returning to power after a 27-year gap.

Delhi's voter turnout stood at 60.54%, signalling a moderately engaged electorate. Among the hotly contested seats, the New Delhi constituency saw a fierce battle, with BJP's Parvesh Verma giving formidable chase to AAP's stalwart and former Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal. The Kalkaji seat was another key battleground featuring Atishi, an influential face of AAP.

AAP's Struggles and Congress' Continuing Decline

AAP's journey, which started with such promise, appears to have lost momentum. The estimations of a diminished seat count between 15 and 25 put pressure on Kejriwal’s leadership to introspect and recalibrate. Contrastingly, the Congress party continues its spiral in Delhi, forecasted to capture a meagre 0 to 3 seats, mirroring its lackluster performance since 2013.

The BJP's apparent strategic maneuvers and campaign efforts have paid off, capitalizing on national mood shifts and local discontent. Their return to power highlights a growing disillusionment with AAP's approach, suggesting that Delhi's voters are ready to pivot their trust and expectations towards BJP's promises of a new governance era.

As the results become available, all eyes are on how the new power structure will shape Delhi's future. With BJP's imminent return to governance, the dynamics of leadership and policy direction in Delhi are set for an interesting transformation.