A BJP election rally in Delhi. Photo source BJP official website.
By Dr Satish K Gupta
New Delhi: A decisive win for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi signals a broader trend of public support for the national ruling party and its leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Delhi, being the national capital, holds significant symbolic and political influence. Voters here have historically oscillated between different parties based on governance, policy outcomes, and public sentiment. Any major shift in the city’s political allegiance often reverberates across the country.
Interestingly, despite the BJP’s win, rather than the “Agenda of Hindutva”, it was the larger issue of governance, that worked in the party’s favour.
Delhi is a cosmopolitan city with a diverse population from all over India. The state election results over the years here have proved that local electoral issues—such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and public utilities—often take precedence over broader identity-based politics.
Historically, parties that emphasize strong local governance and deliver tangible results (like subsidized water or electricity, improved schools, etc.) have been well-received. Hence, the narrative or “agent of Hindutva” strategy may not resonate as strongly since voters here are focused on day-to-day civic issues.
Impact of the Aam Aadmi Party’s governance and corruption allegations
Initially, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) positioned itself as a party of clean politics and citizen-centric governance, offering freebies and welfare schemes to win elections in Delhi. Over time, corruption allegations and the incarceration of some of its leaders have badly undermined this image. These allegations significantly shaped voter perception, the loss suggests that AAP’s earlier credibility around anti-corruption and novel governance models was eroded.
Obviously state as well as civil elections and contested on local issues. But today’s poll result is likely to affect politics across India because a robust win for the BJP in Delhi could strengthen the party’s national image, showcasing its ability to recapture crucial urban centres.
Other regional parties observing this might recalibrate their strategies, focusing on local governance, development, and anti-corruption measures to maintain their voter base.
Opposition parties might need to collaborate more closely or reinvent their political narrative to offer credible alternatives to the BJP. But other political houses seeing Kejriwal as a major threat would like to first build their own base.
The result may also influence the tone of upcoming state elections, potentially encouraging voters to revisit or question the performance of local governments, especially those that came to power on anti-establishment or reformist platforms but have faced allegations of corruption.
Arvind Kejriwal’s future
With a significant defeat in Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal may concentrate on consolidating AAP’s presence in states where it has established some foothold, such as Punjab. In all probability, Kejriwal might focus on rebuilding the AAP in Delhi and other states, regain public support aiming for a long-term national presence and possibly nurture ambitions for a future prime ministerial bid. His trying to enter the Rajya Sabha is another possibility. Currently, AAP governs Punjab, and if there’s any internal party restructuring, there might be speculation about Kejriwal taking on a leadership role there.
Tough legal battle
Till now senior lawyers like Abhishek Manu Singhvi were being paid by Delhi state for defending Kejriwal and other ministers on corruption cases levelled against them but with the loss of power in Delhi this facility will be gone rather the incoming government would like to dig out faults more deeply to mount further trouble for Kejriwal. His path forward would likely hinge on:
- Re-establishing credibility and trust post-corruption allegations.
- Providing a clear governance model in Punjab, where AAP is still in power.
- Expanding grassroots networks across other regions.
Long-term goals of Kejriwal
If Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP still harbour national ambitions, they would likely work on rebranding and returning to their core promises of clean governance, grassroots participation, and strong public welfare.
Achieving a comeback in Delhi or success in new territories would be critical if AAP wishes to remain relevant at the national level.
Becoming Prime Minister requires building a pan-India presence, alliances, and voter support that extends far beyond urban enclaves like Delhi. The 2025 defeat would be a significant setback, but not necessarily an end to AAP’s national aspirations if they regroup effectively.
BJP has indeed won Delhi with a record margin in 2025, which suggests a shift in voter sentiment away from AAP’s governance model and towards the central leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. This shift could serve as a milestone for national politics, influencing how other regional and opposition parties approach campaigning, policy promises, and governance.
As for Arvind Kejriwal, his prospects will depend on how effectively he can reinvent himself, re-strategize, address the credibility gap caused by corruption allegations, and either solidify AAP’s position where it still holds power or broaden the party’s national appeal for a larger comeback.
