Don’t misdiagnose AAP defeat in Delhi election results. It will be fatal to democracy https://theprint.in/opinion/bjp-delhi-elections-2025-aap-defeat/2486293/ Akshay Marathe 09 February, 2025 Delhi’s voters do not dislike Arvind Kejriwal. In fact, even in defeat, AAP secured approximately 44 per cent of the vote, compared to 54 per cent in 2020. Over the last five years, the BJP convinced 10 per cent of Delhi voters—perhaps not inaccurately—that AAP was a false choice or no choice at all. A gun was held to the heads of Delhi’s people: if you do not vote for the BJP, your city government will remain dysfunctional, and your beloved city will decline. It is unthinkable that a Prime Minister would be so cruel and self-serving as to hold his own capital city to ransom the way Narendra Modi has—but that is exactly what happened in Delhi...
How was Sheila Dikshit able to govern Delhi without significant run-ins with the central government? The answer is obvious to anyone willing to look. Between the 2020 and 2025 elections, the Centre amended the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Act, formally redefining “government” in Delhi as the “Lieutenant Governor”—a political appointee of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Previously, the Delhi government needed the L-G’s approvals only for major policy decisions, while day-to-day matters remained under the elected government’s control. The amendment, however, effectively transferred all decision-making powers to the central government, making the BJP the de facto ruler of Delhi.
without the BJP’s power grab, none of AAP’s shortcomings would have cost it its majority in Delhi elections 2025.
What global media https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/delhi-election-results-2025-how-global-media-said-about-pm-narendra-modi-aap-arvind-kejriwal-bjps-landmark-win-101739068253053.html Reuters:"The victory underscores the party’s growing appeal in urban centers, particularly among middle-class voters who once backed AAP. Associated Press: AAP’s declining popularity and internal struggles played a role in its defeat. The Financial Times : AAP, once seen as a strong regional force, now faces an existential crisis. Losing it to the BJP puts serious questions on its national ambitions. Al Jazeera : this victory is a story of BJP’s micromanagement in constituencies + quoting Nivedita Menon: “It feels like BJP will never lose an election again. BBC: BJP, securing Delhi represents more than just electoral success—it marks a crucial foothold in the nation's capital after being out of power there since 1998.