Subhechcha Ganguly 
In the lead-up to the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) executed a strategic campaign that helped them clinch victory after 27 years, winning 48 out of the 70 seats. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had held power in the capital for three consecutive terms, saw a significant decline, securing just 22 seats, down from 62 in 2020. The Congress, an ally of AAP under the INDIA bloc, failed to win a single seat in the election. BJP’s early campaign focused on a consistent narrative that undermined AAP, capitalizing on negative headlines about the party and amplifying controversies, notably the “sheesh mahal” scandal involving former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s lavishly renovated residence. This controversy, combined with BJP’s targeted messaging, eroded AAP’s credibility.
While AAP maintained its strong support among low-income voters, BJP’s focus shifted towards the middle and neo-middle class, gaining further traction with the announcement of an income tax cut in the Union Budget 2025. The BJP also highlighted key issues affecting Delhi residents, such as deteriorating infrastructure, poor roads, traffic congestion, and pollution. The party’s promise to boost government employees’ pay through the 8th Pay Commission strengthened its appeal among these groups. Moreover, the BJP effectively countered AAP’s freebie agenda by promising financial aid to women through the ‘Mahila Samridhi Yojana’ and stressing the importance of a “double-engine sarkar” to ensure smoother governance.
The BJP’s aggressive campaign targeted AAP’s welfare schemes, accusing the party of mismanagement in healthcare, particularly with its mohalla clinics. Issues like “fake medicines” and “ghost patients” stuck, despite AAP’s denials. These accusations, combined with environmental concerns like the polluted Yamuna and the AAP’s unsubstantiated claims about BJP poisoning water, resonated with voters, particularly in areas near Haryana, where AAP suffered heavy losses. In contrast, the BJP’s promises and critique of AAP’s governance helped it regain control of the capital.
Arvind Kejriwal, once hailed as a humble, people-oriented leader, entered the 2025 Delhi Assembly election with a significantly altered image. His transition from advocating against government bungalows to occupying one himself led to a perception shift, with critics accusing him of hypocrisy. As the face of the AAP, Kejriwal became a focal point for anti-incumbency sentiment, contributing to the party’s decline in popularity. Former AAP members, Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav, also blamed Kejriwal’s “bluster” and “propaganda,” along with his departure from the original idea of providing an alternative form of politics, for the party’s poor showing in the election.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence in the BJP campaign grew increasingly prominent as the election neared. Modi sharply criticized Kejriwal and the AAP’s governance while promising smoother coordination between the Centre and the Delhi government under a “double-engine sarkar.” This strategic messaging resonated with BJP supporters and helped sway undecided voters, ultimately tipping the scales in the BJP’s favor. As Kejriwal’s image became tainted by accusations of misgovernance, Modi’s leadership provided a strong contrast that worked to the BJP’s advantage.
