Arvind Kejriwal Vows to Be a Strong and Constructive Opposition After Delhi Defeat

NEW DELHI, Feb 8, 2025: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal has vowed to play the role of a constructive opposition as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to return to power in Delhi after 27 years. Accepting the people’s mandate with humility, Kejriwal congratulated the BJP for its victory and expressed hope that the new government would deliver on its promises.

“I accept the verdict of the people with all humility and congratulate the BJP for their victory. I hope they will fulfill all the promises for which people have voted them,” Kejriwal said in a video message on Saturday.

Despite AAP’s significant setback, Kejriwal highlighted his party’s contributions over the past decade, particularly in the areas of health, education, and infrastructure. “We have done a lot of work in Delhi in the last 10 years. We will not only play the role of a constructive opposition but will also remain among the people and continue to serve them,” he said.

Kejriwal himself suffered a personal defeat in the elections, losing his New Delhi seat to BJP’s Parvesh Verma. This marks a significant political shift in the national capital, where AAP had been in power since 2015.

As per the latest Election Commission trends, the BJP had won 17 seats and was leading on 30 of the 70 assembly constituencies. Meanwhile, AAP had won 11 seats and was leading on 12, indicating a significant decline from its previous dominance in the Delhi Assembly.

Kejriwal’s statement comes as the AAP faces a crucial moment in its political journey. Once hailed for its governance model centered around free education, healthcare, and subsidized utilities, the party now faces the challenge of rebuilding its support base. Political analysts suggest that internal party challenges, governance issues, and the rise of the BJP’s influence in the capital contributed to AAP’s electoral losses.

Despite the defeat, Kejriwal’s commitment to staying engaged with the public signals that AAP will continue to push its policies and hold the new government accountable. With the BJP now set to take charge, Delhi’s political landscape is poised for a major transformation.