The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, faced a significant defeat in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a decisive victory, winning 48 out of 70 seats, marking their return to power in Delhi after 27 years. In contrast, AAP’s representation dwindled to 22 seats, a sharp decline from their previous tally of 62 seats in the 2020 elections.
Prashant Bhushan, a former AAP co-founder expelled in 2015 due to internal conflicts, attributed this electoral setback to Kejriwal’s leadership approach. He criticized Kejriwal for transforming AAP from a party advocating transparent and accountable governance into one dominated by a single leader, lacking internal democracy. Bhushan highlighted the abandonment of the party’s initial commitment to the Lokpal Bill and the removal of its own Lokpal as indicators of this shift.
Bhushan also pointed to Kejriwal’s lifestyle changes, such as the construction of a Rs.45 crore residence, dubbed the ‘sheesh mahal,’ and the use of luxury vehicles, as evidence of deviating from AAP’s foundational principles. He emphasized that Kejriwal dismissed 33 detailed policy reports from expert committees, opting instead for expedient policies, which Bhushan believes contributed to the party’s decline.
Yogendra Yadav, another expelled AAP co-founder and current leader of Swaraj India, expressed that the election results were a setback not only for AAP but also for all who envisioned an alternative political model in India. He noted that AAP’s departure from its original ideals, focusing instead on welfare schemes without pursuing deeper systemic change, led to its diminished appeal among voters.
Arvind Kejriwal’s political journey began as an income tax officer before he transitioned into activism, notably participating in the 2011 anti-corruption movement alongside Anna Hazare. He co-founded AAP with the promise of delivering clean and transparent governance. However, over the years, his tenure has been marred by controversies, including allegations of corruption and authoritarianism. In 2024, Kejriwal resigned as Chief Minister following his imprisonment on corruption charges related to the excise policy, asserting that the people of Delhi would vindicate him in the subsequent election—a prediction that did not materialize.
The 2025 election results have prompted discussions about AAP’s future and its role in Indian politics. Critics argue that the party’s shift from its founding principles and the controversies surrounding its leadership have eroded public trust. As AAP reflects on this defeat, questions arise about its ability to realign with its original mission of providing an alternative political narrative in India.
