The Congress seems to be heading toward yet another devastating electoral defeat in Delhi, as early counting trends indicate a complete wipeout for the party. With the BJP leading in 43 seats and AAP in 27 (as of the latest updates), Congress is once again failing to make an impact in the national capital’s fiercely contested Assembly elections. The Delhi Assembly comprises 70 seats, yet there has been no sign of Congress registering any gains, reinforcing the party’s ongoing struggle to remain relevant in the city’s political landscape.
Even before the counting began, exit polls had painted a grim picture for Congress, predicting a third consecutive electoral humiliation. Two out of six major exit polls forecasted a complete shutout for the party, while others predicted a single-digit performance at best. If these projections hold true, Congress will once again fail to secure a single seat in Delhi, marking a decade of electoral irrelevance and exposing the deep-rooted structural and leadership issues that have plagued the party.
Congress’s decline in Delhi is neither recent nor sudden—it has been a prolonged downfall that began in 2015 when the party suffered a historic rout, losing all 70 seats in the Assembly elections. This shocking defeat was repeated in 2020, further cementing its irrelevance in a city where it once wielded unquestionable power. Under the leadership of the late Sheila Dikshit, Congress dominated Delhi politics for 15 years, from 1998 to 2013, delivering three consecutive electoral victories and overseeing major infrastructural, educational, and economic reforms. However, following her exit from power, the party has been unable to recover, losing its traditional support base to the Aam Aadmi Party, which emerged as the new face of opposition against the BJP.
The meteoric rise of AAP under Arvind Kejriwal played a significant role in Congress’s downfall. While the BJP retained its core support base, AAP effectively positioned itself as the primary challenger, particularly appealing to Congress’s traditional voter demographic, including lower-income groups, minorities, and the middle class. The shift in voter preference was so decisive that Congress was entirely wiped out in two consecutive elections, despite attempts to revive its fortunes.
The failure to reinvent itself has only exacerbated Congress’s troubles in Delhi. The party has struggled to build a strong local leadership, articulate a compelling vision, or address the grievances of voters who once supported it wholeheartedly. Instead of reclaiming lost ground, Congress has largely remained on the sidelines, overshadowed by the aggressive campaigning and governance narratives put forth by both AAP and the BJP.
This electoral drubbing is not just about numbers; it reflects a deeper crisis for Congress, both in Delhi and at the national level. Despite being a crucial component of the opposition INDIA bloc, the party’s repeated failures raise serious concerns about its ability to effectively challenge the BJP, especially in urban centers where regional parties have gained ground. While the INDIA alliance was formed with the goal of presenting a united opposition, Congress’s struggles in state elections indicate a lack of cohesive strategy and leadership direction.
The BJP’s commanding lead in Delhi underscores the effectiveness of its organizational machinery, campaign messaging, and voter outreach. Meanwhile, AAP, despite losing ground to the BJP, continues to retain a significant presence, proving that it remains a formidable force in Delhi politics. In contrast, Congress appears to be vanishing from the electoral map of the capital, unable to mount even a symbolic fight.
Suppose the final results mirror the exit poll predictions. In that case, Congress’s leadership will once again face scrutiny over its inability to stage a comeback in a city where it once enjoyed unchallenged dominance. The road to revival seems increasingly difficult, and unless drastic reforms and decisive leadership changes are undertaken, Congress risks becoming a non-entity in Delhi’s political future. This latest electoral setback could serve as yet another wake-up call, but whether the party acts on it remains to be seen.
