After the two successful terms in Delhi the Arvind Kejriwal’s, AAM ADMI PARTY is conceded defeat in Delhi assembly election,2025 and the worse part of this defeat is that the AAP party leader himself lost his seat in this election to BJP’s Parvesh Verma. And several big leaders such as Manish Sisodia, Avadh Ojha are also facing defeat in this election.
Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi
Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi former chief minister has been a prominent face in India’s politics history Kejriwal came in light in 2011 when Anna Hazare start a protest against current government on the corruption and Kejriwal is a massive supporter of Anna’s protest. Arvind Kejriwal is public bureaucrat who served as an assistant commissioner of income tax in 1995 and resigned his post in 2006 and then he established his party, AAM ADMI PARTY which focus to work on problems of common man.
He become the seventh CM of Delhi in 2013 assembly election and forming a coalition government with Congress party but this could not last for long and the government is broken down in 49 days after its formation and then reelection happens in 2015 and AAP secured a massive victory in this election and winning 67 seats out of 70 seats and Arvind Kejriwal again become the chief minister of Delhi and again in 2020 AAP secured a massive victory by winning 62 out of 70 seats
Delhi history and Arvind Kejriwal
The first election Delhi is happen in 1952, but from 1956 to 1993 is made the simply union territory but after that lot of leaders in 1991 argued Delhi should be considered as state and eventually in 1991 P V Narsimha Rao restored some power to the Delhi government. and in that way Delhi has an assembly with 70 seats. The first election that happen in Delhi in 1952 was won by congress and then in 1993 BJP won an election by getting 49 seats. Congress Sheila Dixit has become consecutively three times of Delhi CM and then in 2013 Arvind Kejriwal comes in power.
5 Reasons of Arvind Kejriwal defeat
1. Erosion of Brand Arvind Kejriwal
Since its formation , the AAP has made itself synonymous with its convenor and co-cofounder Arvind Kejriwal. It paid off initially, as people saw freshness and hope of change in activist Kejriwal, who quit his IRS job. An untucked shirt with a ball point pen tucked in the pocket and slippers, he projected the aam admi he said he was representing. But peoples of Delhi got huge shock when Kejriwal along with his several leaders involved in Delhi excise policy scam. Then came the huge expenditure on CM’s residence that the opposition dubbed as ‘sheeshmahal’ which contains imported curtains and lavish accessories which disturbed his image of common man.
2.Two Term Anti-Incumbency against AAP, Revitalised BJP
The BJP did in Delhi what it does best — roll out its selection juggernaut. From face Modi, Amit Shah to CM Yogi Adityanath and Himanta Biswa, all big guns addressed big rallies in Delhi. The AAP was fighting a two term anti-incumbency in country where voters are known to punish even better performing parties. With the AAP’s novelty and lustre wearing off in the 10 years, the BJP showed signs of renewed energy in a state that it has held office earlier.
3. Half Truths And Yamuna Poisoning Claims
The AAP emerged from anti corruption crusade of Anna Hazare in Delhi. Delhiites felt it was a political alternative for the congress. The Yamuna river, which Kejriwal repeatedly to clean in multiple media conferences, remains just as polluted, also AAP in 2015 has promised that ” we would ensure that 100% collection and treatment of Delhi’s sewage.” However, instead of acting to concretely to clean the Yamuna, Kejriwal and the entire AAP high command found themselves in embroiled in a bitter controversy with the BJP over the rivers pollution.
4. Modi Govt’s Middle Class Magic
In Delhi 67 % households are middle class so they have keen role in government formation. The AAP freebies might have worked for it to woo voters in slums and JJ clusters’ but the middle class has been left worried that tax money is used to fund sops. The announcement of eighth pay commission and increased income tax rebate and made incomes of up to RS 12 lakh tax exempt has give a middle class a big relief.
5. Absence of United Opposition and splitting of voters
After the 2024 Lok Sabha elections together against the BJP, the AAP and congress decided to go their separate ways in Delhi assembly elections. And in Delhi INDIA bloc allies once again choose to contest independently leading to split in anti BJP votes . Several other parties such as Mayawati led BSP and Owaisi’s AIMIM also potentially denting the AAP’s prospects.