In a remarkable victory, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won 67 out of 70 seats in the Delhi Assembly elections, securing 54% of the vote share and a 25% swing. This left the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with just three seats, and the Congress failing to secure any. AAP's stunning performance came as a blow to the BJP, which had dominated Delhi in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, who resigned as chief minister a year ago, will take the oath of office once again at Ramleela Maidan. The party has pledged to fulfill its manifesto promises, including halving electricity bills, providing free Wi-Fi, and offering 700 liters of free water daily to every household. However, concerns remain about funding these initiatives, as VAT and excise duty are key revenue sources.
The victory also positions AAP as a national political force, with senior leader Yogendra Yadav hinting at future expansion beyond Delhi. While the party's national ambitions are still in the planning stages, they aim to fill the opposition vacuum in states like Odisha and Gujarat. Kejriwal’s tenure as national convenor ends in September, raising questions about his successor.
The BJP and Congress are left grappling with the loss. The BJP faces pressure from its allies and struggles with internal issues, especially following controversies around its ties with Dera Sacha Sauda and attacks on churches.