Dr Bharti Chhibber
Bhartiya Janta Party’s (BJP) historical Delhi Assembly election win perfectly resonates with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionof Viksit Bharat by 2047 with the Capital Delhi taking the lead as Bharat’s gateway to the World. In the largest democracy, the party at the Centre with a third consecutive term winning the country’s Capital city sends a signal nationwide and beyond on the global stage.It is a matter of distinction for BJP to win the ‘Dil’ of Bharat as Delhi is popularly known after 27 years. This victory is also crucial as it reinforces the people’s perception of the upcoming elections,especially in the state of Bihar where elections will be held later this year.
An important aspect of the BJP is its resilience and silent work on the ground by its karyakartas, a disciplined approach that comes from it being a cadre-based party. Time and again, we have seen its pragmatic outlook of what to learn, rather than whom to blame whether after relatively fewer seats in Uttar Pradesh in last year’s Lok Sabha elections or earlier Delhi Assembly elections. And the party has resurged as we have seen in bye-elections of UP and in consequential Delhi Assembly elections.
Unfulfilled promises and corruption allegations on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which emerged from the anti-corruption campaign of Anna Hazare in Delhi, left voters disillusioned who aspire to more than freebies. Although the Congress was in the fray along with AAP it couldn’t open its account like in the 2020 elections and ultimately it boils down to BJP vs AAP. Congress and AAP going separate ways in Delhi Elections did contribute to the splitting of votes which has also gone in favour of BJP. BJP already had a solid base in Delhi as seen in Lok Sabha Elections but what mattered was retaining it and transforming the same in Delhi Assembly Elections. The vote share of the BJP rose to 45.56 percent in the 2025 Assembly elections from 39 percent in 2020.
BJP adopted a multi-pronged electoral strategy which was both at the grassroots and from top to down with PM spearheading it with ‘Modi ki guarantee’. To consolidate the middle-class votes, the centre approved the formation of the 8th Pay Commission which will benefit the Central Government employees and pensioners and the Union budget introduced no tax on income up to ? 12 lakhs.
Learning from last year’s Lok Sabha election where a narrative was built by the opposition that if BJP came to power the constitution would be changed, this time BJP pre-empted the narrative that subsidies would end if it came to power by announcing welfare schemes for the Delhi voters. Women voters are playing an important role in recent elections. As per the Election Commission of India data, in Delhi assembly elections, women outvoted men at 60.92% compared to 60.21%.
Considering the significance of women voters, BJP countered the Aam Aadmi Party’s Mahila Samman Yojana of ? 2100 per month with its ? 2500 per month Mahila Samriddhi Yojana on the lines of Majhi Ladki Bahen Yojana which acted as a catalyst in bringing BJP led government to power in Maharashtra. BJP also announced?21,000 in financial assistance for pregnant women, increased pensions for widows and senior citizens, and subsidised LPG cylinders.
A further strength of BJP and Sanghathan is their grassroots connection, bridging the gap between the people and their representatives. BJP made good usage of AI and technology to widen and fasten its reach among the voters in the form of digital campaigns and social media platforms. Moreover, through the NAMO app, the Prime Minister directly connected with Delhi assembly BJP candidates and karyakartas which pushed them to work harder and created a sense of accountability.
Likewise, Rashtriya Swamsevak Sangh played a crucial role in the Delhi assembly elections. Thousands of small meetings were conducted by the sanghathan with Resident Welfare Associations, and market associations, motivating people to exercise their right to vote, and BJP’s policies and vision of Panch-parivartan, Ayushmaan Bharat, PM Avas Yojana and Jal Jeevan mission.
Another significant debate during the recent elections is on the idea of unsustainable freebies. One needs to distinguish it from social welfare schemes for poorer sections of society, elders and women which is significant for the country’s development. However, freebies cannot be an end in itself as it places unwarranted pressures on the exchequer and also hinders long-term infrastructure growth. The ultimate aim of welfare schemes is also growth, creating opportunities and a level playing field for all, not a debt crisis. The objective should be to make people Aatmanirbhar which will contribute to an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
BJP has replicated its success story of Haryana and Maharashtra, an amalgamation of nationalistic agenda with localised issues in Delhi. People have reposed faith in BJP’s double-engine Sarkar. It reverberates with the perceptiveness of the PM’s path of RPT-Reform, Perform and Transform.
Just like AAP came to power in Delhi 10 years ago with big expectations, BJP will be forming a government in Delhi with huge expectations of the people. The delivery of the poll promises by BJP will tremendously matter in making Delhi a world-class capital city, infrastructural growth and reforms, walking arounda clean sacred Yamuna River, pure air to breathe in, creating economic opportunities, entrepreneurship and promoting Delhi as a safe, developed, efficient commercial and tourist hub for Bharat and the world.
(The author is teaching Political Science in University of Delhi and is an expert on Indian politics and foreign policy.)
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