Delhi election results 2025: 5 power moves that helped BJP win and cripple AAP

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

BJP swept the assembly elections, securing 48 out of 70 seats across all parliamentary constituencies. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) managed to hold onto its stronghold in Muslim- and Dalit-dominated areas, but it wasn’t enough to stop the BJP’s rise.

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So, what led to AAP’s downfall despite a close vote-share gap? A mix of strategic BJP campaigning, shifting voter priorities, and Kejriwal’s fading appeal played a huge role. Let’s break it down.

1. BJP’s early start and relentless attack

The BJP didn’t wait for elections to begin its fight against AAP. Every controversy surrounding Kejriwal’s government, be it the excise policy case, corruption allegations, or the costly makeover of his official residence (dubbed ‘Sheesh Mahal’ by BJP) was used to weaken his image.

At first, BJP criticised AAP’s freebie politics, but later, it enthusiastically made its own populist promises. The party also pushed the concept of a double-engine government, while the ongoing tussle between the Lieutenant Governor and AAP fuelled perceptions of administrative dysfunction. By election day, a significant number of voters seemed to be convinced by BJP’s narrative.

2. The middle-class shift

AAP’s core support among lower-income groups remained intact, thanks to free water, electricity, and mohalla clinics. But the middle class wasn’t as forgiving. Poor roads, traffic nightmares, Yamuna’s pollution, and worsening air