<div>After a surprise defeat in the 2025 Delhi Assembly polls on Saturday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal conceded his loss of the New Delhi seat. He even congratulated the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on its exemplary performance in the polls.&nbsp;</div>
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<div>The AAP leader, who had secured over 50% votes in the last three Delhi Assembly elections, was in for a shock when results for the 2025 elections were declared. BJP candidate Parvesh Verma managed to beat Kejriwal by more than 1,200 votes. Congress candidate Sandeep Dikshit played a crucial role in Kejriwal&rsquo;s electoral defeat.</div>
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<div>Contrary to expectations, former Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal tasted defeat these elections. According to political experts, BJP played a trump card by fielding Parvesh Verma, and Congress also entered the race with a strong candidate, Sandeep Dikshit, to challenge Kejriwal.</div>
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<div>Verma is the son of Sahib Singh, former chief minister of Delhi. On the other hand, Congress fielded Sandeep Dikshit, the son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. This made the contest much more complicated for Kejriwal than in the previous elections. As the AAP's most prominent leader, Kejriwal's loss in New Delhi was seen as a rejection by the voters not just of his party, but also of him personally.</div>
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<div>So, why did voters in New Delhi reject Arvind Kejriwal? Here are four major reasons:&nbsp;</div>
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<div><strong>1. Anti-Incumbency &amp; Cong Factor</strong></div>
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<div>In the last three Delhi Assembly elections, Arvind Kejriwal had consistently secured over 50% of the vote share, making it difficult for anyone to defeat him. However, BJP candidate Parvesh Verma defeated him by over 1,200 votes. One factor that played a crucial role in this rout was Congress candidate Sandeep Dikshit, who contributed to Kejriwal's loss by splitting the vote.&nbsp;</div>
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<div><strong>2. Support from the Middle Class</strong></div>
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<div>With many government offices and residential areas in New Delhi, including high-end areas housing upper-middle-class voters. Kejriwal's previous wins were largely supported by slum dwellers and lower-income groups. However, issues such as the deteriorating cleanliness system, overflowing drains, and pollution in the Yamuna River turned public opinion against Kejriwal. In the run-up to the polls, he BJP announced changes in the 8th Pay Commission and income tax slabs, which attracted middle-class voters, especially government employees, to vote for their candidate.&nbsp;</div>
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<div><strong>3. Promise of Permanent Housing</strong></div>
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<div>In a smart move, the BJP focused on slum dwellers in its election campaign, offering them permanent housing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned ahead of polls by giving out keys to new homes and criticizing Kejriwal for not allowing implementation of central schemes to provide housing for the poor in Delhi. The BJP condemned Kejriwal for obstructing the distribution of homes meant for slum dwellers, which resonated with these voters.</div>
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<div><strong>4. Sandeep Dikshit&rsquo;s Candidacy</strong></div>
<div>Congress candidate Sandeep Dikshit, who received 4,568 votes, played a significant role in splitting the vote in the New Delhi constituency. Had those votes gone to Kejriwal, he might have won. Dikshit&rsquo;s candidacy shifted votes away from Kejriwal, and without him, the AAP leader could have retained his seat. Dikshit&rsquo;s total votes (4,568) largely came from Dalit and Muslim communities, who preferred him over Kejriwal.</div>
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<h3 data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Conclusion</h3>
<p>Kejriwal&rsquo;s loss in the New Delhi constituency can be attributed to a shift in middle-class voter dynamics, BJP&rsquo;s well-planned election strategies, and the Congress candidate&rsquo;s impact in splitting the vote share. The result marks a significant political setback for both Kejriwal and the AAP, raising questions about the party&rsquo;s future strategy in Delhi politics.</p>
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AAP convenor fails to retain his place in the Delhi Assembly polls as BJP's Pravesh Verma seals victory

Why Did Arvind Kejriwal Lose his New Delhi Seat?

AAP convenor fails to retain his place in the Delhi Assembly polls as BJP's Pravesh Verma seals victory

February 8, 2025 | 17:58 IST