In a historic political shift, the BJP reclaimed power in Delhi after 27 years, securing 48 out of 70 seats with a 45.56% vote share in the 2025 Assembly Elections. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had governed the capital since 2015, was reduced to 22 seats with 43.57% vote share. This victory marks the BJP's return to power and showcases a well-orchestrated strategy that dismantled AAP's stronghold.
This article examines the challenges BJP faced post-2020 and its multi-pronged strategy to counter AAP and reclaim Delhi, with insights from political analysts, electoral data, and governance studies.
BJP’s Post-2020 Political Landscape & Challenges
1. AAP's Stronghold & Welfare-Oriented Image
AAP cultivated a corruption-free image, resonating with Delhi’s middle-class and urban voters.
Pro-poor schemes like free electricity, water subsidies, and bus rides for women secured a loyal voter base.
Visible development projects bolstered AAP's credibility, including Mohalla Clinics, upgraded public schools, and local infrastructure improvements.
2. AAP's Organizational Strength
AAP maintained a robust volunteer network and deep grassroots presence, ensuring strong campaign outreach.
Control over the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) allowed AAP to implement its policies efficiently at the local level.
3. Governance Challenges Faced by AAP
Despite its strengths, AAP faced significant governance hurdles, including:
Water Crisis: Irregular supply, waterlogging, and contamination in urban poor neighbourhoods.
Air Pollution: Despite efforts like the Odd-Even scheme and curbing stubble burning, Delhi continued to face severe air pollution, particularly during the winter months. The inability to significantly reduce pollution levels became a major concern for voters, particularly in urban areas affected by poor air quality. This issue raised questions about AAP’s effectiveness in addressing environmental challenges.
Unauthorized Colonies: Around 30% of Delhi’s population resided in unauthorized colonies, lacking proper infrastructure.
Waste Management & Infrastructure Issues: Poor garbage disposal and deteriorating roads led to rising public dissatisfaction.
BJP identified these vulnerabilities and crafted a multi-layered strategy to capitalize on AAP’s weaknesses while neutralizing its core strengths.
BJP's Multi-Pronged Strategy to Defeat AAP
1. Bureaucratic & Institutional Roadblocks
Delays & Legal Challenges: BJP leveraged the Lieutenant Governor’s office to stall key AAP projects through bureaucratic hurdles and legal interventions.
MCD Merger & Control: The merger of Delhi’s municipal corporations into a single entity weakened AAP’s direct control. BJP appointed bureaucrats aligned with its interests, securing majority control in standing committees, which led to:
Delays in infrastructure projects
Poor waste management, fueling public dissatisfaction
Water supply disruptions due to lack of municipal cooperation.
2. Eroding AAP’s Clean Governance Narrative
Corruption Allegations: BJP effectively leveraged corruption scandals, including:
Liquor Policy Scam
Money laundering charges against Satyendar Jain
The high-profile arrests of Arvind Kejriwal & Manish Sisodia.
Targeted Media Campaigns: BJP-controlled media narratives amplified these cases, shifting public perception from 'clean governance' to 'AAP is no different from others'.
The 'Sheesh Mahal' Controversy: Allegations of extravagant expenditures on Kejriwal’s residence further damaged AAP’s credibility.
3. Countering Welfare Schemes with Enhanced Promises
AAP’s welfare model was countered by BJP’s more attractive welfare agenda:
Mahila Samridhi Yojana: ₹2,500 per month for women, surpassing AAP’s existing welfare schemes.
Atal Canteens: Affordable meals at ₹5, directly targeting lower-income groups.
LPG Cylinder Subsidies & Increased Pensions: Strengthening BJP’s pro-poor narrative.
Focus on Unauthorized Colonies: BJP pledged infrastructure development and regularization of these areas, appealing to 30% of Delhi’s voters.
4. Organizational Strength & Polarization Tactics
Defections & Weakening AAP’s Leadership: BJP poached AAP MLAs and leaders, weakening AAP’s internal structure and ground-level organization.
RSS Mobilization & Narrative Shaping:
Consolidation of Hindu votes through nationalist rhetoric.
Law and order issues, including Delhi Riots, Jahangirpuri violence, and Shaheen Bagh protests, were leveraged to deepen polarization.
Activating Booth-Level Workers: BJP’s robust booth-level micro-management ensured stronger voter mobilization than AAP.
5. Congress’s Role as a Spoiler
Due to internal conflicts within the INDIA Alliance, Congress refused to ally with AAP, securing a 6.3% vote share, which indirectly benefited the BJP.
This was seen as a retaliatory move after AAP’s competition against Congress in Haryana contributed to Congress’s loss.
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