Arvind Kejriwal Concedes Defeat As BJP Sweeps Delhi. Here’s How Atishi, Sisodia Reacted To ‘Setback’

Delhi Election Results 2025: As the BJP won 40 seats, ending AAP's decade-long dominance, AAP's Arvind Kejriwal conceded defeat, vowing to play a constructive opposition role.

File Photo of AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal with Delhi CM Atishi and former MLA Manish Sisodia

Source : PTI

Delhi Election Results 2025: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday conceded defeat in the high-stakes Delhi Assembly elections, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a decisive victory, ending AAP’s decade-long dominance in the national capital.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the BJP has won 48 seats, while AAP has secured 22. The Congress, which governed Delhi from 1998 to 2013, faced its third consecutive washout.

Delhi Election Results 2025: Kejriwal Accepts Mandate, Pledges to Be Constructive Opposition

In a video message, Kejriwal said, “We accept people’s mandate with humility, and I congratulate the BJP for its victory. I also hope that it will fulfil the expectations of the people of Delhi.”

Reflecting on AAP’s tenure, he added, “We have done a lot of work in education, water, electricity, and infrastructure to provide relief to Delhiites.”

pic.twitter.com/X2CKGVpE9G

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 8, 2025

Vowing to remain politically active despite the defeat, Kejriwal stated, “AAP will not only play the role of a constructive opposition but will also be available to the people of Delhi. We are not in politics for power; instead, we consider it a medium to serve people.”

Kejriwal also thanked party workers, saying, “I thank all AAP workers for their hard work during the elections. We fought a good election.”

Kejriwal himself suffered a significant loss in the New Delhi constituency, where he was defeated by BJP’s Parvesh Verma by 4,089 votes. His close aide, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, also lost from Jangpura to the BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah by 675 votes.

Delhi Election Results 2025: Atishi Acknowledges 'Setback', Vows To Continue Fight Against BJP

Delhi Chief Minister and senior AAP leader Atishi acknowledged the electoral defeat but affirmed that the party’s struggle against the BJP would continue.

“The war against BJP’s dictatorship and hooliganism will continue. This is a setback, but AAP’s fight for the people of Delhi and the country will go on,” Atishi told reporters.

कालकाजी की जनता का मुझ पर भरोसा जताने के लिए मैं उनका आभार व्यक्त करती हूं। मैं अपनी टीम को बधाई देती हूं जिसने बाहुबल, गुंडागर्दी और मारपीट के खिलाफ काम किया।

हम दिल्ली की जनता के जनादेश को स्वीकार करते हैं। यह जंग का समय है और हमारी BJP की तानाशाही और गुंडागर्दी के ख़िलाफ़… pic.twitter.com/32etifk09V

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 8, 2025

Expressing gratitude to supporters, she added, “I thank the people who trusted me. I also thank my team, which faced all challenges and took our message to the public. I have won my seat, but this is not a time for celebration — this is the time to fight. The battle against BJP’s authoritarianism will continue.”

Atishi emerged victorious in the Kalkaji seat, defeating BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri.

Delhi Election Results 2025: Manish Sisodia Affirms Commitment To Education Reform Despite Loss

Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, currently in judicial custody over the alleged liquor policy scam, shared an emotional message following his defeat.

“I am deeply grateful to the people of Delhi for giving me the opportunity to work in politics under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal for 12 years. I never imagined entering politics, let alone becoming an MLA or a minister. But the people gave me that chance,” Sisodia said in a video message.

He highlighted his contributions to education in Delhi, stating, “I made every effort to bring changes to Delhi’s education system. I am happy that some work was accomplished during this time.”

मैं दिल्ली की जनता का हृदय से धन्यवाद करता हूँ, जिन्होंने मुझे 12 वर्षों तक उनकी सेवा करने का और बच्चों का भविष्य संवारने का अवसर दिया।

अगर शिक्षा प्रणाली में सुधार करना है, तो राजनीति ही उसका जरिया है। इसलिए मैंने अपना जीवन शिक्षा को समर्पित किया है और आगे भी इसके लिए काम करता… pic.twitter.com/RJiTey2tro

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) February 8, 2025

Accepting the loss, he added, “Now, the people of Delhi have not given me the opportunity. When they did, I worked hard. Now that they haven’t, I accept their decision and move forward.”

Sisodia reaffirmed his commitment to education reform, saying, “I have dedicated my life to education. I have realised that without political work, the necessary reforms in education cannot happen in our country. I will continue to work for education through politics. I am hopeful that, if not today, the people will give me another chance in the future.”

Delhi Election Results 2025: Avadh Ojha Says 'Very Happy' With Second Position After Patparganj Loss

Avadh Ojha, AAP’s candidate from Patparganj, expressed contentment with his electoral performance despite losing to BJP’s Ravinder Singh Negi by over 28,000 votes.

“Winning or losing is nothing. This was my first political innings, and I secured the second position. I am very happy with this achievement,” Ojha told news agency IANS.

Addressing his loss, he acknowledged the public’s decision, stating, “Perhaps the public felt it was time for a change after a long time. They might have wanted to give another party a chance. There is no question of any shortcomings on our part.”

Despite the defeat, Ojha remains committed to politics. “We are heading to Patparganj now. First, I will meet my supporters, then from tomorrow, we will plan our next strategy and hit the ground again,” he said.

Delhi Election Results 2025:BJP’s Resurgence in Delhi

The BJP’s victory marks a historic return to power in Delhi after 27 years. Parvesh Verma, son of former Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma, credited his victory in New Delhi to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of Delhi.

The BJP’s win also saw the defeat of other senior AAP leaders. Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj lost to BJP’s Shikha Roy in Greater Kailash by 3,188 votes. However, three AAP ministers managed to retain their seats: Gopal Rai won Babarpur by 18,994 votes, Mukesh Ahlawat secured Sultanpur Majra with a margin of 17,126 votes, and Imran Hussain emerged victorious in Ballimaran with 29,823 votes.

With the BJP securing a majority, the party is now set to form the next government in Delhi.