Delhi to Get Its New Chief Minister Today: BJP's Resurgence and AAP's Collapse

After 27 Years, BJP Reclaims Delhi: AAP’s Downfall and the Road Ahead For nearly a decade, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) held Delhi in a firm grip, with its leader Arvind Kejriwal emerging as a formidable political force. However, in a dramatic political shift, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stormed back to power, reclaiming Delhi after 27 years. The once-unshakable AAP found itself in turmoil, its leadership struggling to navigate a wave of setbacks and controversies that ultimately led to its downfall. The Turning Tide The political landscape of Delhi began shifting in the months leading up to the 2025 elections. AAP’s governance, once celebrated for its focus on education, healthcare, and subsidies, faced mounting criticism over allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and failed policies. The Enforcement Directorate’s investigations into several AAP ministers further weakened public confidence. Kejriwal’s once-popular narrative of being an anti-corruption crusader lost its sheen as accusations piled up. BJP capitalized on this sentiment, presenting itself as the alternative Delhi needed. A massive outreach campaign, coupled with a strong organizational push and Modi’s charisma, gradually turned the tide. The tipping point came when Parvesh Verma, a BJP stalwart, defeated Arvind Kejriwal in a stunning electoral upset. The message was clear: Delhi wanted change. Choosing Delhi’s New Chief Minister Eleven days after securing a landslide victory, the BJP found itself facing a critical decision—choosing a Chief Minister to lead the state. With names like Parvesh Verma, Vijender Gupta, Rekha Gupta, and Satish Upadhyay circulating within political circles, speculation ran high. Sources within the party suggested that BJP’s leadership might spring a surprise by selecting a lesser-known figure, much like it had done in other states. This strategy had worked effectively in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. The final decision was to be made in a legislative party meeting at the BJP headquarters, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to oversee the process upon his return from diplomatic visits to France and the US. Grand Preparations for a New Administration Meanwhile, Delhi braced for an extravagant swearing-in ceremony scheduled at Ramlila Maidan. The event, set to be attended by 50,000 people, including Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states, and key NDA leaders, was poised to mark the beginning of a new chapter in Delhi’s governance. In a political gesture of magnanimity, the BJP extended an invitation to Kejriwal for the oath-taking ceremony. Whether the former Chief Minister would attend remained uncertain, but the invitation signified BJP’s confidence and its intent to move forward decisively. AAP’s Fall from Grace As BJP celebrated its resurgence, the AAP camp remained in disarray. With Kejriwal’s defeat and a dwindling number of MLAs, the party faced an existential crisis. Internal rifts deepened as senior leaders debated the party’s future strategy.   Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, echoing the sentiment of many BJP leaders, remarked that the people of Delhi had "taught Kejriwal a lesson." The comparison between the political fate of Karnataka’s Siddaramaiah and Kejriwal further underscored AAP’s downfall, suggesting that blaming the Centre for failures had backfired. What Lies Ahead? With BJP firmly back in control of Delhi, the party now faces the challenge of delivering on its promises. The expectations are high, and the electorate will closely scrutinize every decision taken by the new administration. Meanwhile, AAP must reckon with its failures and decide whether it can rebuild or if this defeat marks the end of its dominance in Delhi’s politics. As Delhi embarks on this new journey, the political landscape remains dynamic. Will BJP cement its rule for the long haul, or will AAP find a way to stage a comeback? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—Delhi’s political future has never been more intriguing.   (With inputs from agencies)