Synopsis: In a significant political development, early trends from the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections indicate the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading in 41 seats, suggesting a potential historic victory. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has governed Delhi for the past decade, is ahead in 29 seats, marking a substantial decrease from its previous tallies.
The 2025 Delhi Assembly elections have ushered in a potential paradigm shift in the capital's political landscape.
Early counting trends reveal that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading in 41 out of 70 seats, positioning itself for a historic return to power after a 27-year hiatus.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has enjoyed a decade-long governance in Delhi, is leading in 29 seats, reflecting a significant decline from its previous performances.
In the New Delhi constituency, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal initially trailed against BJP's Parvesh Verma but later gained a narrow lead.
Similarly, AAP leaders Atishi (Kalkaji) and Manish Sisodia (Jangpura) faced early challenges in their constituencies.
On the BJP front, candidates Kapil Mishra (Karawal Nagar) and Manjinder Singh Sirsa (Rajouri Nagar) are leading in their respective seats.
The election outcome is pivotal, determining whether AAP secures a fourth consecutive term or if the BJP stages a remarkable comeback.
The Congress party, which has not won a seat in the last two elections, aspired to regain its foothold but is currently not leading in any constituency.
The lead-up to the counting day was marked by high drama.
On Friday, the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) visited Arvind Kejriwal's residence to seek evidence supporting his allegations that the BJP attempted to poach AAP candidates with offers of ₹15 crore and ministerial positions.
As Kejriwal was absent, ACB officials served a legal notice demanding proof of these claims.
This action followed Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena's directive for an ACB probe into the matter.
In response, AAP leaders accused the BJP of trying to manipulate the narrative through exit polls and alleged inducements.
Senior AAP leader Gopal Rai described the BJP's alleged strategy, termed "Operation Lotus," as an attempt to exert psychological pressure ahead of the results.
Despite these challenges, Rai expressed confidence that AAP would secure over 50 seats, anticipating only 7-8 seats to be closely contested.
On the other hand, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva remained optimistic, asserting that his party would win nearly 50 seats and return to power.
The Congress party, which governed Delhi for 15 years until 2013, aimed to revive its fortunes after consecutive electoral setbacks.
The counting process is being conducted under stringent security measures, with a three-tier arrangement involving 10,000 police personnel, including paramilitary forces at each center.
Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer, Alice Vaz, stated that 5,000 trained personnel—comprising counting supervisors, assistants, micro-observers, and support staff—have been deployed to ensure a smooth process.
To maintain transparency, a random selection of five VVPATs (voter-verifiable paper audit trails) will be conducted in each assembly constituency.
The stakes are undeniably high for both AAP and BJP.
A victory for Kejriwal would reaffirm his dominance in Delhi politics and bolster his standing on the national stage.
Conversely, a BJP win would not only mark a historic return to power in the capital but also signify a significant blow to AAP's decade-long grip on Delhi's political landscape.
Historically, AAP achieved a sweeping victory in the 2015 assembly polls, securing 67 out of 70 seats, leaving the BJP and Congress trailing.
They continued their strong performance in 2020, winning 62 seats. The BJP is now determined to end this streak and reclaim its hold over Delhi.
Conclusion
The early trends of the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections suggest a potential shift in the city's political dynamics, with the BJP poised for a historic comeback and the AAP facing significant challenges.
As the counting progresses, the final results will determine the future governance of the national capital and reflect the evolving preferences of its electorate.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on early election trends and reports from various news sources. Election results are subject to change as counting progresses. Readers are advised to refer to official announcements from the Election Commission of India for the most accurate and updated information.
