Arvind Kejriwal and AAP Suffer Setback as Congress Vote Split Shakes Delhi Elections

The Delhi Assembly Elections delivered a shocking blow to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), as several
top leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, faced unexpected defeats. However, what made these losses
more dramatic was the role of the Congress party, which secured a significant vote share in multiple
constituencies—often surpassing the winning margin of the BJP. This split in the anti-BJP vote
ultimately paved the way for a BJP victory, ending AAP’s 12-year dominance in the national capital.

Congress Vote Share Cost AAP Key Seats

In 13 out of 70 constituencies, the Congress secured more votes than the margin of defeat for AAP
candidates against the BJP. Despite failing to win any seats, the Congress played a crucial role in
altering the election results. Below are 11 key constituencies where the Congress’s vote count
directly impacted AAP’s defeat:

Why Did AAP Lose Ground?

Beyond the Congress vote split, multiple factors contributed to AAP’s downfall:

1. Failure to Fulfill Promises

Arvind Kejriwal’s governance model was built on free electricity, water, and quality education.
However, critics argue that many of these promises were either partially fulfilled or had unintended
consequences. Kejriwal’s women-centric freebie schemes, for instance, were questioned on legal
grounds, leading to skepticism among voters.

2. Shifting Middle-Class Support

Previously, Delhi’s middle class had backed AAP in assembly elections and BJP in general elections.
This time, however, a significant chunk of chartered accountants, doctors, business owners, and
government servants moved away from AAP, perceiving its governance as increasingly populist
rather than pragmatic.

3. Lack of AAP-Congress Alliance

Despite Congress losing deposits in 65 constituencies, its ability to dent AAP’s vote share played into
BJP’s hands. The failure to form a tactical alliance weakened the opposition’s collective strength
against the BJP juggernaut.

4. Civic Governance Issues

AAP’s control of the MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) worked against it. Poorly maintained
roads, waste management issues, and inconsistent water supply were blamed on the Delhi
government rather than the MCD, eroding voter trust.

5. Corruption Allegations & Image Crisis

Allegations surrounding the Sheesh Mahal controversy—where Kejriwal was accused of extravagant
spending on his official residence—harmed his carefully crafted ‘common man’ image. The BJP
leveraged this to attack AAP’s credibility.

AAP’s Strength: Booth-Level Organization

Despite setbacks, AAP remains a dominant force in Delhi, thanks to its three-stage booth
management system:

Booth Agents ensure strong voter mobilization at the grassroots level.

1. Booth Agents ensure strong voter mobilization at the grassroots level.
2. Table Incharges coordinate between different booths to optimize turnout.
3. Mobilizers conduct last-minute outreach to ensure maximum participation.

This meticulous voter outreach strategy has often given AAP an edge, even when facing strong
opposition from national parties.

What’s Next for AAP?

The Delhi election results present a crucial moment for AAP. To regain its stronghold, the party
needs to:

• Reassess its campaign strategy and voter outreach.
• Consider a strategic alliance with the Congress to prevent vote splitting.
• Focus on governance credibility and counter BJP’s narratives on corruption.

Meanwhile, the BJP’s ability to capitalize on opposition divisions continues to be a winning formula.
With the national elections approaching, Delhi’s political battleground will remain fiercely contested.

Final Thoughts

While AAP remains the most formidable opposition to BJP in Delhi, the Congress’s role as a spoiler
cannot be ignored. Whether AAP and Congress bury their differences for the sake of opposition
unity remains to be seen. One thing is clear—Delhi’s political landscape is shifting, and 2029 could
see an even more intense battle for control of the capital.