Thu Feb 20 18:29:23 UTC 2025: ## Kejriwal’s AAP Ousted from Power in Delhi After 26-Year BJP Hiatus

**New Delhi, February 21, 2025** – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has seized control of Delhi’s government after a resounding victory in the February 8th Assembly elections, ending the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) 26-year reign. Rekha Gupta was sworn in as the new Chief Minister on February 20th.

The AAP, led by Arvind Kejriwal, suffered a significant defeat, winning only 22 out of 70 seats compared to the BJP’s 48. Kejriwal himself lost his New Delhi seat to Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, marking the end of his decade-long tenure in the Vidhan Sabha. Other prominent AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Saurabh Bharadwaj, also lost their seats.

Kejriwal’s fall from grace is a dramatic turn for the former bureaucrat-turned-activist who rose to prominence through the India Against Corruption movement and subsequently founded the AAP. His political trajectory, once meteoric, has been marked by controversies, including allegations of corruption related to Delhi’s liquor excise policy and a recent ACB raid on his residence. His government also faced criticism for its handling of communal riots and for perceived shifts away from its initial anti-corruption platform.

Despite the setback, Kejriwal maintains his position as AAP’s national convener and vowed to serve as a constructive opposition. However, the party’s future is uncertain, with potential repercussions in other states where it holds power or influence. The BJP’s victory is seen by some as a rejection of Kejriwal’s leadership and policies, rather than solely an endorsement of the ruling party’s agenda. Kejriwal currently faces ongoing legal proceedings related to the liquor excise policy scam and other accusations.

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