BJP’s Next Targets: Dilli Jhanki, Bihar Aur Bengal Baki – Team Kejriwal Crushed To The Hilt

One of the most significant takeaways from AAP’s humiliating defeat is the severe blow to Arvind Kejriwal’s political stature. Once positioning himself as the primary challenger to Prime Minister Narendra Modi while attempting to weaken Congress, Kejriwal has now suffered a crushing setback, undermining his credibility and casting a shadow over his political future. The magnitude of AAP’s defeat serves as poetic justice for Congress, repaying Kejriwal for his past manoeuvrings. His decision to contest 89 seats in Haryana, where 87 candidates lost their deposits, ultimately aided the BJP by fragmenting the opposition vote and damaging Congress’ prospects.

Like in Haryana and Maharashtra, the well-oiled RSS machinery played a decisive role in the historical victory of BJP in Delhi polls, orchestrating over 50,000 meetings to turn the tide in the saffron party’s favour. The BJP had already felt the painful impact of the Sangh’s disengagement during the Lok Sabha elections, where it fell short of the 272-seat majority, forcing it to rely on alliance partners to form the government.

Modi's Personal Appeal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains the BJP’s strongest electoral asset. His leadership, credibility, and mass appeal—especially among middle and lower-income voters—played a decisive role in BJP’s Delhi triumph. Welfare schemes like free ration under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana bolstered his image as a pro-poor leader, reassuring voters about governance stability. Modi’s personal brand, his guarantee to fulfill promises, and his ability to steer the party to electoral victories remain BJP’s primary strengths. In his characteristic sarcastic style, Modi mocked Congress' rout, declaring that the party had achieved a "double hat-trick of defeats with zero seats," underlining its continued downward spiral.

BJP Eyes Bengal and Bihar

Buoyed by the resounding victories in Delhi, Haryana, and Maharashtra, BJP is setting its sights on dethroning Mamata Banerjee in the 2026 West Bengal elections. Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has already declared, “Delhi ki jeet hamari ho gayi, ab 2026 mein Bengal ki baari hai.” Additionally, Bihar’s upcoming polls will witness BJP and its allies charging into the electoral battlefield with renewed energy, capitalizing on the internal disarray of the INDIA bloc. The RSS, which has long been active in Bengal, is preparing the groundwork to challenge Mamata’s stronghold.

AAP’s Implosion

A Boon for BJP; Ironically, while Congress may celebrate AAP’s downfall in Delhi, the true beneficiary is BJP, which has strengthened its dominance following successive victories. The sheer extent of voters’ disillusionment with AAP was evident in the shocking defeat of its stalwarts, including Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Saurabh Bharadwaj. AAP’s incessant confrontations with the central government—a strategy once viewed as defiance—proved to be its undoing. Voters prefer governance over perpetual conflict.

BJP successfully dismantled AAP’s image, portraying Kejriwal and his team as corrupt politicians, a narrative reinforced by investigating agencies. The Sheeshmahal and liquor scams severely dented Kejriwal’s credibility, tarnishing his once-pristine image as an anti-corruption crusader. This crushing defeat serves as BJP’s revenge for AAP’s stunning electoral performances in 2015 and 2020.

The Strategy That Worked

BJP’s campaign revolved around making Modi the central figure, while AAP’s attempt to turn the contest into a Kejriwal-versus-Modi battle backfired spectacularly. BJP’s aggressive campaign, backed by enormous financial resources, meticulous poll management, and RSS’ unwavering support, proved to be a game-changer. Despite AAP’s decade-long rule in Delhi, BJP swept the capital’s seats once again, affirming its dominance.

AAP’s Loss and the INDIA Alliance

Paradoxically, AAP’s disastrous performance could end up rejuvenating the INDIA bloc. Kejriwal, once wielding significant bargaining power within the alliance, now finds himself politically diminished. His earlier confrontational stance against Congress, which strained opposition unity, is unlikely to hold much weight going forward. Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee previously sought to sideline Congress within the INDIA bloc, believing themselves to be more viable opposition leaders than Rahul Gandhi. However, this election has severely eroded Kejriwal’s standing, making it increasingly difficult for him to assert dominance within the alliance.

Factors behind AAP’s Downfall

Anti-Incumbency & Governance Issues: Initially hailed as a party of change, AAP now faces the same voter scrutiny as any ruling party. Unfulfilled promises regarding job creation, infrastructure, and public services eroded its support base.

Corruption Allegations & Scandals: AAP, born from the anti-corruption movement, saw its credibility shattered by scandals such as the excise policy scam and arrests of key leaders. Voters saw no difference between AAP and traditional parties.

Clashes with Federal Agencies: BJP’s relentless targeting of AAP through investigative agencies made governance difficult. However, rather than generating sympathy, these conflicts reinforced a perception of inefficiency and mismanagement.

Internal Discord & Leadership Crisis: Kejriwal remains AAP’s undisputed face, but the party lacks a strong second-tier leadership. The side-lining of even founder leaders and the absence of influential strategists weakened its internal cohesion.

Failed National Expansion: AAP’s attempts to grow beyond Delhi and Punjab have largely flopped. Its presence in Gujarat is minimal, and it failed to make a mark in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, revealing its lack of nationwide viability.

Punjab’s Law-and-Order Concerns: In Punjab, where AAP governs, issues like rising lawlessness, Khalistani activities, and rural distress eroded trust. The party’s failure to address these concerns translated into voter disillusionment.

Strained INDIA Alliance Relations: AAP’s uneasy relationship with Congress, particularly in Delhi and Punjab, created confusion among opposition voters. Kejriwal’s arrogance in avoiding seat-sharing talks with Congress proved to be the final nail in the coffin, benefiting BJP.

Failure to Sustain Welfare Model: While initiatives like free electricity, water, and Mohalla clinics remained popular, their long-term financial sustainability became a growing concern among voters.

Conclusion

AAP’s crushing defeat in Delhi signals not just the decline of Kejriwal’s political stature but also the broader realignment within the opposition. BJP has emerged as the unequivocal winner, consolidating its position across key states and setting the stage for future battles in Bihar and Bengal. Meanwhile, the INDIA alliance faces an internal reckoning—Congress may be relieved at AAP’s setback, but its own struggles persist. The road to 2026 and beyond remains open, but one thing is clear: BJP’s electoral juggernaut shows no signs of slowing down.

(Writer is senior political analyst and strategic affairs columnist)

Published on: Monday, February 10, 2025, 08:48 AM IST