New Delhi, India – February 2025 – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is on track to win the Delhi state elections, according to exit polls, signaling the end of a 27-year drought in the region. If these projections hold, the BJP will reclaim the Delhi assembly and defeat the reformist Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has held power in the national capital for nearly a decade.
BJP Leads in Exit Polls
A composite “poll of polls” places the BJP at 43 seats, well ahead of the AAP, which is projected to secure 26 seats. The Congress party, once a dominant force in Delhi, is expected to win just one seat under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, in a sharp decline from its previous stronghold. While these projections suggest a decisive shift in power, some individual polls show a closer race, and the AAP has dismissed the exit polls, insisting that past elections have proved such predictions wrong.
AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar rejected the exit poll forecasts, pointing to the party’s strong track record in previous elections. In 2020, the AAP won 62 of the 70 assembly seats, with the BJP claiming just eight.
A Setback for AAP and Arvind Kejriwal
A loss for the AAP would be a significant blow for its leader, Arvind Kejriwal, and the anti-establishment movement he founded. Kejriwal rose to prominence with his anti-corruption campaign, which resonated strongly with Delhi voters in 2015. Since then, the AAP has sought to expand its influence across India, positioning itself as a fresh, clean alternative to the traditional political parties.
The AAP’s symbol, a broom, represents the party’s commitment to rooting out corruption and delivering better services to ordinary citizens. However, Kejriwal and his party have faced significant challenges in their second term, including corruption allegations that tarnished their image.
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BJP’s Continued Momentum
If the BJP’s win in Delhi is confirmed, it would be a major victory for the party, following a series of successes in regional elections, including wins in Maharashtra and Haryana. This could mark a turning point after the BJP’s less-than-stellar performance in the May 2024 general elections, where it fell short of securing an outright majority in parliament. The BJP formed a coalition government, and its current momentum could further bolster its position on the national stage.
Voter Promises and Allegations of Corruption
Throughout the election campaign, all three major parties—BJP, AAP, and Congress—vied for voters’ attention with promises of freebies such as free water, electricity, and cash incentives. The AAP, in particular, promoted itself as a government focused on welfare schemes, gaining widespread support for its programs targeting education, healthcare, and utilities.
However, the AAP’s second term was marred by corruption allegations, with Kejriwal and two key ministers facing charges related to the controversial liquor policy. The party has denied these accusations, claiming they were part of a political vendetta by the BJP. Despite these claims, the corruption charges and the construction of Kejriwal’s new residence—dubbed the “Sheeshmahal” by critics—hurt the AAP’s standing among voters, especially amid growing concerns over public funds.
