“Referendum On Kejriwal And AAP”: Congress’ Jairam Ramesh On Delhi Election Results
New Delhi: The 2025 Delhi Assembly election results have been described as a referendum on Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), according to Congress MP and general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh. He asserted that the verdict reflects a rejection of Kejriwal’s politics rather than an endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Ramesh highlighted that AAP had secured decisive victories in 2015 and 2020 despite Modi’s popularity, but this time, the electorate has ruled against Kejriwal’s governance, which he termed as “deceit, deception, and vastly exaggerated claims of achievement.” He further credited the Congress for exposing various scams linked to Kejriwal’s administration and stated that voters have delivered their judgment on his 12 years in power.
Despite a poor showing in the election, Ramesh maintained that the Congress had increased its vote share and led a vigorous campaign. While failing to win a seat, he asserted that the party’s presence in Delhi remains strong and will be electorally expanded in the coming years. He expressed confidence in the Congress forming a government in the capital in 2030.
The Delhi Assembly elections marked a stunning fall for AAP, which had enjoyed an unchallenged decade in power. With the BJP heading towards a landslide victory, securing leads in 47 out of 70 seats, AAP’s dominance in Delhi politics suffered a major setback. The Congress, meanwhile, was on course for a third consecutive electoral wipeout.
Key AAP leaders, including party convenor Arvind Kejriwal and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, lost their seats in New Delhi and Jangpura, respectively. However, Chief Minister Atishi managed to retain her Kalkaji seat, defeating BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri in a triangular fight which saw Congress’ Alka Lamba as well.
Kejriwal, who lost to BJP’s Parvesh Sahib Singh, conceded defeat, saying, “The people’s decision is paramount. I congratulate the BJP on its victory and I hope that it lives up to the hopes and expectations of the people who have given them a majority.”
Atishi, while acknowledging AAP’s setback, vowed to continue the party’s fight. “I thank the people of Kalkaji and party workers who braved BJP’s hooliganism. This is a setback for AAP, but we accept the people’s mandate. We will continue our fight against BJP’s dictatorship and hooliganism,” she said.
AAP’s decline marks a dramatic turnaround in Delhi’s political space. After securing a historic 67-seat win in 2015 and repeating dominance with 62 seats in 2020, the party now faces its toughest political challenge.
One of AAP’s biggest blows came from the Delhi liquor policy scandal, which saw Kejriwal and Sisodia spend months in jail. Additionally, the BJP effectively targeted Kejriwal over the “Sheesh Mahal” controversy, criticising his government’s extravagant spending on a luxurious official residence.
