BJP ends AAP’s run in Delhi, securing a historic victory amidst faltering governance in the capital
OdishaPlus Bureau
The AAP’s significant defeat and the BJP’s impressive win have effects that extend beyond Delhi. This loss is a major blow to a party that rose to prominence in a challenging political environment, largely due to the visibility of the capital.
The AAP emerged from the Anna Hazare anti-corruption movement, which played a role in the Congress-led UPA government’s decline and helped the BJP, led by Narendra Modi, gain power. Over two terms, the AAP managed to withstand the Modi influence and established a ‘Delhi Model’ of governance, focusing on improvements in government schools, the creation of mohalla clinics, and providing subsidized water and electricity.
This model was intended to be a foundation for expanding its influence across India, but so far, it has only succeeded in Punjab. The recent loss in Delhi means the AAP has lost its stronghold and a crucial platform for growth. In politics, success is visible, but failure is even more pronounced in the capital.
The AAP must reflect on how it lost its way after achieving two significant victories and why it let a great opportunity slip away. While it faced tough challenges from a powerful central government and issues like the arrest of its leaders on corruption charges, the party also needs to examine its internal issues, as its decline has often stemmed from its own decisions.
The initial achievements in the government school and mohalla clinic became routine, but in the second term, they faced concerns about inconsistent quality. Additionally, the AAP government appeared to overlook the issues of a rapidly expanding city, seeming either indifferent or overwhelmed. Key problems included water shortages, deteriorating roads, piles of uncollected garbage, open drains, blocked sewer lines, and worsening air quality. The AAP was not viewed as capable of tackling the growing infrastructure and service challenges in a city that attracts people from all over the country seeking a better life.
The BJP’s win in Delhi follows its successes in Haryana and Maharashtra, ending a 27-year absence in the capital. This victory also helped the party recover from a setback in the Lok Sabha elections last year, continuing its national winning trend. Meanwhile, the Opposition alliance appears weak and disorganized. However, the new winners face significant challenges. They need to build on the AAP’s achievements in education and healthcare while creating a broader plan for the city.
