How the AAP Lost Its Plot and Office in Delhi

The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) pursuit for office in Delhi ended on Saturday after a long wait of 27 years.

- Rahul Verma

How did the BJP win the national capital, which also happens to be the nation's political capital? A month ago, most political commentators believed that while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) may suffer some losses, it still had the edge in Delhi given the gap between the two parties, both in terms of votes and seats.

Despite sweeping the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi multiple times in the past three decades, the BJP had to reconcile with the main Opposition's slot in successive assembly polls.

There were many reasons for this, including the absence of a state-level leader that could match the Congress's Sheila Dixit, and later the AAP's Arvind Kejriwal.

This time multiple factors seem to have added in small measures to deliver a clinching win for the BJP.

There were indications that the party changed its strategy in the last three weeks.

Initially, the BJP was more focused on attacking Kejriwal over corruption charges and the appropriation of government funds (the Sheesh Mahal allegation being an example), along with several welfare promises.

Closer to the polling date, the ground-level campaign started highlighting civic issues and misgovernance.

It turned the focus on the condition of roads, water supply, and garbage clearance, among other issues.