BJP’s Landslide Victory in Delhi: AAP’s Era Ends as Jat Support, Modi Factor, and Public Discontent Seal Kejriwal’s Fate

Agartala, Feb 08, 2025, By Our Correspondent43

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delivered a crushing defeat to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, marking a historic political shift in the Delhi Assembly elections. BJP leader Parvesh Singh Verma, a prominent Jat figure, emerged as a key architect of Kejriwal’s downfall, prompting political analysts to assess the role played by the Jat community—though small in number but politically significant—in influencing electoral outcomes in the national capital.

Biplab Kumar Deb’s Role in BJP’s Delhi Triumph

The defeat of Kejriwal added another feather to the cap of Biplab Kumar Deb, the former Chief Minister of Tripura, who served as BJP’s election in-charge for the New Delhi constituency, where Verma took on Kejriwal.

Deb has already built a formidable reputation within BJP, having played a pivotal role in bringing an end to the three-decade-long Communist Party of India (Marxist) rule in Tripura, securing a historic victory for BJP in the 2018 Assembly elections. His electoral strategy was again instrumental in Haryana, where he helped the BJP secure a critical win in a fiercely contested battle. In Odisha, he played a vital role in BJP's campaign, leading the party to power in the state for the first time.

This time, Deb’s tactical planning and ground-level mobilization in the high-stakes New Delhi Assembly seat helped BJP overcome two previous electoral defeats (2015 and 2020) against Kejriwal’s AAP and secure an emphatic victory.

Jat Support and Modi Wave Turn the Tide

Although the New Delhi constituency is not a Jat-dominated seat, Verma’s victory indicates that Jat voters have once again placed their trust in a fellow community leader, shifting away from AAP’s influence. In both the 2015 and 2020 elections, Kejriwal’s popularity had overshadowed the caste-based preferences in the constituency. However, this time, the Jat community rallied behind BJP, aligning with the party’s broader electoral strategy.

At the same time, the Modi factor proved to be a game-changer, as BJP’s campaign successfully countered AAP’s narrative. For the first time in 27 years, AAP’s bid to sway voters in border constituencies failed, leading to a massive electoral setback for the party.

AAP’s Downfall: End of an Era and Decline of the Freebies Model

The BJP’s resounding victory and AAP’s humiliating defeat hold far-reaching political implications:

1. End of AAP’s Dominance in Delhi:

   • This marks the end of Kejriwal’s decade-long grip over the Delhi government.
   • AAP’s governance model, which had resonated across multiple states, now faces an existential crisis.

2. Shift in Public Sentiment Against Freebies:

   • The election results reflect a growing realization among voters that freebies and sops alone cannot guarantee electoral success.
   • Voters in Delhi, once swayed by AAP’s populist welfare schemes, chose stability and governance over short-term benefits.

3. BJP’s Consolidation of Power in the Hindi Heartland:

   • Delhi’s victory completes BJP’s political dominance in North India, further cementing its hold in the Hindi belt.
   • The party is already in power in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan, ensuring a strong BJP presence across the region.

BJP’s Winning Streak in North India

BJP’s success in Delhi is part of a larger political trajectory in the region:

• Haryana: BJP has been in power for three consecutive terms, defeating Congress in multiple elections, including a fierce 2023 contest.
• Uttar Pradesh: The party has ruled for two consecutive terms, led by CM Yogi Adityanath.
• Rajasthan: BJP ousted Congress in the 2023 elections, further consolidating its hold in the region.

Now, with Delhi under its control, BJP fully dominates the political landscape in and around the national capital.

How BJP Outmaneuvered AAP and Congress

The 2024 Delhi Assembly elections saw a three-way contest between AAP, Congress, and BJP, with each party pulling out all stops to secure victory. However, BJP’s well-calibrated strategy helped it outflank both AAP and Congress, returning to power in Delhi after almost three decades.

A crucial aspect of BJP’s victory was its performance in the border constituencies—areas adjoining Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Out of 70 Assembly seats, BJP has either won or is leading in 48—a significant proportion of these being border constituencies.

AAP’s aggressive campaign in these areas focused on water issues, with the party accusing the BJP-led Haryana government of contaminating Yamuna’s water supply and engaging in “water terrorism.” However, these allegations failed to convince voters, who rejected AAP’s anti-BJP rhetoric in favor of stability and development.

Failed Campaign Strategies and Kejriwal’s Missteps

AAP’s campaign suffered multiple setbacks, many of which were self-inflicted:

1. Failed “Water Terrorism” Allegation Against Haryana

   • Delhi CM Atishi, alongside AAP leaders, accused Haryana’s BJP government of deliberately polluting Yamuna’s water to harm Delhi residents.
   • Kejriwal himself echoed the same accusations, hoping to turn voter sentiment against BJP.
   • However, this strategy backfired, as voters dismissed the claims as theatrics and prioritized real governance issues.

2. Failure to Address Punjab’s Stubble-Burning Crisis

   • AAP’s governance in Punjab also played a role in its defeat.
   • The stubble-burning issue, which contributes to severe air pollution in Delhi, remained unresolved, damaging AAP’s credibility.

3. Blaming the Central Government for Stalled Projects

   • Kejriwal frequently accused the Delhi L-G and Centre of blocking AAP’s projects.
   • Voters saw these repeated allegations as diversionary tactics rather than genuine governance efforts.

4. Kejriwal’s “Emotional Appeal” Post-Jail Release

   • Following his release from jail, Kejriwal made a passionate appeal to voters, stating that he would return as CM only if people re-elected him.
   • However, this failed to sway public opinion, with voters perceiving it as a political stunt.

The End of BJP’s Long Wait for Power in Delhi

Since 2014, BJP has dominated North India, winning state after state. However, Delhi remained elusive, as the party suffered two consecutive defeats (2015, 2020) against Kejriwal’s AAP.

With this thumping victory, BJP has finally broken the jinx, bringing an end to its 27-year-long wait to govern the national capital. This election not only marks AAP’s downfall but also signals a new political era for Delhi, where BJP will now steer the city’s governance.

With a clear majority, BJP is now poised to reshape Delhi’s governance model, focusing on infrastructure, economic growth, and long-term sustainability—a stark departure from AAP’s freebie-driven politics.

This election is not just a victory for BJP—it is a watershed moment in Indian politics, where voters in Delhi have redefined electoral priorities, emphasizing governance, stability, and long-term vision over short-term populism.