Delhi Assembly Election 2025: A towering scaffolding with an LED screen greets anyone entering the alleyway leading to the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) headquarters in the national capital. The state of the head office mirrors the party’s trajectory—upended from its once-ascendant position.
The party, born from the ashes of the Anna Hazare-led Anti-Corruption Movement, has now dwindled to just 22 constituencies. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured its first Assembly victory in 27 years, having swept 48 constituencies.
A stark contrast from past victories
Reflecting the party’s electoral struggles, the AAP headquarters lacks the jubilance of past elections, where it once celebrated sweeping victories. In 2015 and 2020, the party emerged as the single largest force, even governing unopposed. While in 2013, it had needed support from its INDIA bloc ally, Congress, it soon absorbed much of the latter’s voter base.
However, this time, the mood is markedly different—sombre and restrained.
The office gates remain firmly shut, almost barricaded by security personnel. In an attempt to avoid public embarrassment, the party’s administrative team has imposed strict entry restrictions, allowing only select individuals inside. Even party workers and campaigners require an identification card issued by the Arvind Kejriwal-led party to gain entry.
Silence and despondency
Leaders from AAP’s Punjab bloc have also flown into Delhi, only to be met with an unspoken rule—silence. They have been advised against making public statements and, in many cases, refrain from speaking to their own party compatriots.
The atmosphere remains heavy, especially as senior leaders and cabinet ministers lose their seats to BJP candidates. Among those defeated are former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, and former minister Satyender Jain.
In an almost symbolic moment, a metal scaffolding supporting loudspeakers—intended for victory celebrations—came crashing down, its foundation deemed weak.
After suffering a crushing defeat against the BJP and losing his own constituency of New Delhi, AAP convenor Kejriwal said that he humbly accepts the people’s verdict. Kejriwal emphasised that his party is not in politics solely for power. The former chief minister also expressed that the AAP will take on the role of a constructive opposition and continue to serve the public.
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“The results of the Delhi elections have been declared today and we accept the people’s verdict. The people’s decision is paramount. I congratulate the BJP on its victory and I hope that it lives up to the hopes and expectations of the people who have given them a majority,” he said.
The AAP chief stressed that his party has done a lot of work for the people in the sectors of education, health, water and electricity in the past 10 years. “We also tried to improve the infrastructure in Delhi. Now, we will not only play the role of a constructive opposition but also continue to work in the social sector and help people. We will always be there for people because we did not enter politics for power but because we see it as a means of helping people. I congratulate AAP workers for fighting the elections well and working hard. They have suffered a lot,” Kejriwal said.
Party workers remain hopeful
Despite the losses, AAP workers cling to hope. “I have been with the party since 2013, ever since Kejriwal formed it and took charge of the government here. I have travelled everywhere with the party on my cycle, covering hundreds of kilometres. I know that AAP will resurge and rise again. It is a party built on the foundation of protest, and that is what we will do in the opposition,” said Khurshid Alam, a party worker.
Others cite the legal troubles faced by AAP leaders as a key reason for the party’s decline. “Most of our leaders have spent extended periods—six months to a year—in jail. Still, if we manage to secure a significant number of votes, it means a lot,” said Sagar Sundar Jha, a party worker from Pune.
The final tally
As it stands, AAP has won 22 seats, while the BJP has secured 48 seats. The political landscape of Delhi appears to be undergoing a significant shift, leaving AAP at a crossroads as it contemplates its future in opposition.
AAP’s vote share declined by 10% as compared to its total vote share in the 2020 Assembly Elections when the party secured 62 seats. The party garnered a vote share of 43.57% as compared to 53.57% in the 2020 Assembly Election
