NEW DELHI: Following the electoral setback in the capital, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal conceded defeat after his party faced a drubbing in the Assembly elections. The AAP chief himself lost from the New Delhi assembly to BJP’s Parvesh Verma.
Kejriwal, who led AAP to two consecutive landslide victories in 2015 and 2020, acknowledged the people’s mandate and vowed to continue serving the public as the Opposition.
With the BJP securing 48 of the 70 assembly seats, AAP’s tally has plummeted to 22 – a dramatic fall from 62 in 2020.
Addressing the media, the 56-year-old AAP supremo said, “Now that people have given their verdict, we will not only play the role of a constructive Opposition but also continue serving society. We will stand with the people in their joys and sorrows, personally assisting those in need. We did not enter politics for power; we see politics as a medium to serve people and to stand by them in times of need. We will continue this work, and remain committed to serving people.”
Despite the crushing defeat, Kejriwal defended his party’s decade-long governance, highlighting achievements in education, healthcare, electricity, and water supply.
“We worked tirelessly to improve Delhi’s infrastructure and social services. Now, we will play the role of a responsible Opposition while continuing our efforts in public welfare,” he asserted.
Expressing gratitude to AAP’s workers, he lauded their relentless efforts and dedication during the elections. “I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all Aam Aadmi Party workers. They fought an incredible election, worked extremely hard, and endured a lot during the election process. They fought a commendable battle, and for this, I congratulate all party workers,” Kejriwal said.
Kejriwal’s defeat in the New Delhi constituency marks a dramatic reversal of fortunes for the former bureaucrat who had once toppled Congress stalwart Sheila Dikshit from the same seat in 2013.
This time around, it was BJP’s Parvesh Verma who ousted the former chief minister by over 4,000 votes. Adding to AAP’s woes, former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, too, lost from Jangpura while health minister Saurabh Bharadwaj suffered defeat in Greater Kailash.
The sole silver lining for the AAP was Atishi’s victory retaining the Kalkaji seat against BJP heavyweight Ramesh Bidhuri.
For the BJP, the landslide win in the capital is historic – marking its return to power in Delhi after 27 years. With the political landscape of the city dramatically altered, all eyes are now on AAP as it navigates its new role as Opposition and if it can reclaim lost ground in the future.