New Delhi: In a stunning political upset, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal suffered a shocking defeat in his stronghold of New Delhi, as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Parvesh Verma emerged victorious, dealing a major blow to the former Delhi chief minister.
Kejriwal, who rose to national prominence through Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement, lost by 3,182 votes, marking a humiliating setback for the leader who had dominated Delhi’s political landscape for the past decade.
Adding to AAP’s woes, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also conceded defeat from the Jangpura constituency. Trailing by 572 votes after nine rounds of counting, Sisodia gracefully accepted the results and expressed hope that the new BJP representative would prioritize public welfare.
“I extend my congratulations to the winning candidate and hope they will focus on the progress and welfare of the people of Jangpura,” Sisodia said while addressing reporters.
While AAP has held sway over Delhi’s governance for the last 10 years, this election marks a significant resurgence for the BJP, which has been out of power in the capital since 1998.
Meanwhile, the Congress, which ruled Delhi from 1998 to 2013, faced another disastrous outcome, making it their third consecutive wipeout in the capital.
Delhi, home to 1.55 crore eligible voters, witnessed a 60.54 percent voter turnout in the February 5 elections. With AAP’s influence waning and the BJP making significant gains, the political dynamics in the national capital appear to be undergoing a major transformation.
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