The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is set to make a triumphant return to power in an apparent landslide victory that saw the anti-corruption party win 62 out of 70 seats in Delhi’s Legislative Assembly (India). With this win, the party defeated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) whose divisive campaign excluding Muslims, seems to have cost it the election.
Election Results
Prior to final announcements, celebrations had already begun in the Indian capital of Delhi upon the announcement that Aam Aadmi Party had crossed the 36 seats needed to secure a majority in the 70-seat regional assembly. According to official results announced later on Tuesday, February 11, the AAP had successfully won 62 seats in parliament, with BJP suffering a steep loss managing to bag just eight seats, while Indian National Congress got zero. However, this wasn’t a complete loss for AAP whose eight-seat win still represents a five-seat gain and an increased vote share of 10%.
With AAP’s win secured, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who leads the party, is set to continue in his post.
Divisive Politicking Fails BJP
Spearheaded by former BJP president and current Interior Minister, Amit Shah, the party held a total of 47 election campaign events including 35 rallies and 9 roadshows. With current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi as a member, the party was expected to perform better at the polls, however, its decision to lean into Hindu nationalism and anti-muslim rhetoric seemed to have backfired, working in favour of AAP candidates.
During its campaign trail, BJP leaders suggested that a vote for AAP was the same as supporting Islamist terrorism, accusing its party leader of secretly supporting Muslims and promoting ongoing protests against India’s Citizenship Amendment Act – an act which Deutsche Welle reports disenfranchises and discriminates against India’s Muslim population, which makes up nearly 15% of the country’s total population.
The AAP, on the other hand, steered clear of engaging BJP in its divisive campaign strategy, choosing to focus its campaigning on welfare policies such as free healthcare, bus fares for women, cheaper water and electricity, and improved state-run schools.
