Delhi election 2025: AAP lags as Modi’s BJP reclaims capital, ending 27-year drought

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday regained power in the nation's capital for the first time in 27 years, a boost for the Hindu-nationalist leader after a disappointing national election last year.

The BJP was leading in 48 of the 70 seats in the Delhi capital district, well ahead of the 22 for the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of Arvind Kejriwal, a fierce critic of Modi, data from the Election Commission of India showed.

The AAP, which grew out of an anti-corruption movement in 2012, tasted its first electoral success in Delhi and has ruled the territory, which includes India's parliament and federal government offices in New Delhi, for two terms from 2015.

"Development has won, good governance has won," Modi said after the city's former chief minister — a key opposition leader to the premier — confirmed having lost his seat.

Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in government in the national parliament but has not controlled the local legislature in the capital Delhi since 1998, so it is a symbolic and strategically important victory.

"We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the overall development of Delhi and making the lives of residents better," Modi said in a post on social media.

Arvind Kejriwal lost his seat to Modi's BJP, according to election commission results, reflecting wider damaging losses by the AAP. Kejriwal's AAP had governed the sprawling megacity of more than 30 million people for most of the past decade.

"We accept the verdict and congratulate the BJP," Kejriwal said in a video statement.

Chanting BJP supporters, waving flags and posters of Modi, danced in celebration outside the party's New Delhi headquarters as results poured in from Wednesday's election.

Counting continues, but the BJP had secured seats well past the majority mark, according to the election commission, with the party set to take around two-thirds of the 70-seat assembly.

"Our victory is a sign of the people's faith in Prime Minister Modi's vision of progress," interior minister and BJP stalwart Amit Shah said in a statement.

"The Delhi mandate shows that people can't be misled with lies every time."