I.S. Saluja
NEW DELHI (TIP): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to form the government in Indian capital Delhi after 27 years as it scripted an impressive election victory over the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which commanded a formidable majority in two 5-year terms.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won or is leading in 48 seats in the 70-member legislative assembly, while the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has won or is ahead in 22 seats, according to data from the Election Commission of India (EC).
A party that wins 36 seats can form the government. “Development wins, good governance triumphs,” Modi wrote on X, adding that his party would leave “no stone unturned” in developing Delhi. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday, February 8, 2025, conceded his party’s defeat in the high-stakes Delhi Assembly elections.
The AAP is heading towards a big defeat in the 70-member Assembly with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leading on 47 seats, leaving the AAP to just 23 seats. AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and his number two Manish Sisodia have already lost to BJP’s Parvesh Verma and Tarvinder Singh Marwah, respectively. In a video message, AAP supremo said, “We accept people’s mandate with humility, and I congratulate the BJP for its victory and also hope that it will fulfil the expectations of the people of Delhi.”
Mr. Kejriwal said the AAP will play the role of a constructive Opposition, saying, “In the next five years, the AAP will not only play the role of a constructive Opposition, but will also be available to the people of Delhi. We are not in politics for power, instead we consider it as a medium to serve people,” Mr. Kejriwal claimed in the video message. In the end, the AAP chief thanked all his party workers. “I thank all the AAP workers for their hard work during the elections and we fought a good election.” While the AAP has dominated the political landscape in Delhi for the past 10 years, the BJP has been out of power in the city since 1998.
The Congress, which governed Delhi from 1998 to 2013 and was hoping for a resurgence, seemed headed for its third straight washout.
(With inputs from agencies)