The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) victory in the Delhi Assembly elections marks a significant political shift, ending the 12-year dominance of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The landslide victory, led by Parvesh Verma’s defeat of AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, underscores a changing voter sentiment in the national capital. This political transformation is not merely an electoral outcome but a reflection of deep-seated shifts in governance perception, voter expectations, and party strategies.



The Rise and Decline of AAP’s Political Narrative

AAP emerged as a force in Delhi politics by positioning itself as an alternative to traditional power structures. Arvind Kejriwal, once hailed as a crusader against corruption, built his party’s success on populist policies, governance reforms, and social welfare initiatives. However, the recent election results indicate that the very pillars that bolstered AAP's rise—anti-corruption stance, efficient governance, and public trust—have been significantly eroded.

According to political analyst Rasheed Kidwai, AAP’s defeat can be attributed to five key factors:

1. Failure to Fulfill Poll Promises

One of the fundamental reasons for AAP’s loss is Kejriwal’s inability to deliver on ambitious promises. His pledges, particularly freebies for women voters, created high expectations but lacked legal and financial feasibility. Unlike Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal or Hemant Soren in Jharkhand, Kejriwal’s commitments faced skepticism from a more politically aware electorate. Over time, voters perceived these assurances as mere election rhetoric rather than actionable governance plans.

2. The Middle-Class Shift to BJP

A decisive factor in the election was the shifting allegiance of Delhi’s middle-class voters—traditionally a crucial support base for AAP. In previous elections, the middle class, including professionals like chartered accountants, doctors, and government employees, backed AAP at the state level while favoring BJP in national elections. This time, a significant 9% drop in AAP’s vote share suggests that these voters moved away from Kejriwal. The reasons? His confrontational style of politics, victimhood narrative, and corruption allegations, all of which pushed the middle class towards BJP’s governance model.

3. AAP-Congress Rift and Fragmented Opposition Votes

The absence of an AAP-Congress alliance further hurt Kejriwal’s chances. Despite Congress candidates failing to make an electoral impact—losing deposits in 65 constituencies—their presence split the opposition vote, indirectly benefiting BJP. As Kidwai points out, “Two and two don’t add up to four in politics,” indicating that AAP’s failure to consolidate the anti-BJP vote cost them heavily.

4. The MCD Factor: Governance Shortcomings

AAP’s victory in the 2022 Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections became a double-edged sword. While the win gave Kejriwal control over civic governance, it also made his party accountable for infrastructural and civic issues such as dilapidated roads, sanitation problems, and poor water supply. Voters did not differentiate between MCD’s jurisdiction and the state government, placing the blame squarely on AAP’s leadership.

5. Corruption Allegations and the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ Controversy

Perhaps the most damaging factor was the corruption allegations surrounding AAP, particularly the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ controversy. Kejriwal’s image as the “common man’s leader” suffered a significant blow due to accusations of extravagant expenditures on his official residence. Unlike previous allegations, where he actively countered narratives, his failure to provide transparency on this issue dented his credibility. As Kidwai points out, "Kejriwal should have thrown it open for the public”, but his defensive stance only fueled speculation.

What This Means for Delhi’s Political Landscape

BJP’s historic win in Delhi signals a realignment of voter priorities. The results suggest that issues of governance, corruption, and voter trust have outweighed ideological narratives. While Kejriwal’s populist approach helped AAP maintain power for over a decade, this election highlights the limitations of rhetoric without execution.

For BJP, this victory is more than just a political comeback; it reflects its ability to consolidate power beyond national elections. If the party can maintain its governance promises, it may reshape Delhi’s political landscape for the foreseeable future.


AAP’s electoral defeat is a culmination of unfulfilled promises, shifting middle-class loyalties, fragmented opposition, civic governance failures, and corruption allegations. BJP’s resurgence in Delhi marks a turning point, indicating that the electorate prioritizes delivery over promises, stability over confrontation, and governance over populism. As Delhi embarks on a new political chapter, the key question remains: Can BJP sustain this momentum and address the expectations that led to this shift?