Modi’s BJP to Claim Victory in High-Stakes Delhi Election.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears poised to form the next government in Delhi, as the counting of votes in the closely contested election shows the party leading with a clear margin. With the BJP ahead in 48 out of the 70 seats in the legislative assembly, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) trails with 22 seats, according to data from the Election Commission of India (EC).
To secure power, a party needs to win a majority of at least 35 seats. This election, closely watched by the nation, is significant for both parties, with Delhi’s political landscape playing a pivotal role in shaping national sentiments.
A Battle of Prestige
For the AAP, the contest in Delhi has been a matter of pride, as the party has governed the city since 2013, touting a strong track record in welfarism and public services. However, the party and its leaders have recently been embroiled in corruption allegations, which they have strongly denied.
For the BJP, winning in Delhi is about more than electoral victory—it marks a strategic comeback in the nation's capital, where it has been out of power since 1998. With successes in other states like Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, the BJP has poured resources into its campaign, with key figures like Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah attending rallies to boost support.
Congress, the national opposition, is also in the race but is trailing without any seats in contention. Once the ruling party in Delhi from 1998 to 2013, Congress lost favor due to corruption charges, with voters turning to AAP. Since then, the party has failed to regain significant ground in the capital.
More than 60% of eligible voters participated in the election, and early exit polls predicted an absolute majority for the BJP, projecting more than 35 seats for the party—although, in past elections, exit polls have been known to be off the mark.
A Complex Governance Structure
Delhi operates under a unique governance structure, where key decisions on public order, police, and land are made by the lieutenant governor (LG) appointed by the central government. In contrast, the state legislature handles issues such as education, health, and public services. This division often leads to friction between the federal government and the state legislature when run by rival parties.
As a result, the focus of Delhi’s election campaigns has been less about political identity and more on welfare promises, such as better public schools, free healthcare, and financial aid to women. Both the AAP and BJP pledged improvements in these areas, with the BJP hoping to gain an edge from the recent federal budget, which slashed income tax for the salaried middle class—a key voting bloc in the capital.
A Test for Modi’s Popularity
A BJP win in Delhi would provide a significant boost to Modi’s political capital, especially after his party lost its outright majority in last year’s general elections. Victory in the capital would solidify Modi’s appeal among Indian voters, reinforcing his position ahead of future elections.
However, a defeat would be a substantial blow to AAP, a relatively smaller party that has made its mark with a focus on public welfare, particularly in education and health. Holding onto Delhi would have been a major achievement for AAP, which is also in power in Punjab but now faces an uncertain future following corruption allegations against its leaders.
Kejriwal at the Heart of BJP’s Strategy
Much of the BJP’s campaign targeted Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP’s charismatic chief and anti-corruption activist. Kejriwal faced accusations of corruption linked to a now-scrapped alcohol sales policy, leading to his arrest and subsequent release on bail in September. He has denied all charges and accused the BJP of a "political vendetta" against him and his party, a claim the BJP denies.
The Supreme Court’s bail conditions banned Kejriwal from entering the chief minister’s office or signing official documents, prompting his resignation shortly after his release. Despite this, Kejriwal continued to be a focal point of the BJP’s attacks, with the party hoping to capitalize on his legal troubles.
Welfare Over Pollution in the Campaign
While the BJP and AAP both made promises to improve Delhi's welfare infrastructure, one critical issue was notably absent from the election campaign—Delhi's chronic air pollution crisis. The city, home to more than 30 million people, suffers from poor air quality for much of the year, yet the subject was scarcely mentioned in the debates.
The BJP did make a pledge to cut the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) by half by 2030, should they win. However, pollution remained a secondary topic compared to other welfare promises, such as improving healthcare, education, and offering cash handouts to women.
As the election nears its conclusion, the outcome will not only shape the future of Delhi but also provide crucial insight into the political dynamics at play in India’s capital.
