With Delhi in the bag, is North India now BJP’s political fortress?

With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) securing a decisive victory in Delhi, the national capital has become the latest addition to the party’s expanding political dominance in North India.

The BJP has been in power in neighbouring states such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, and its recent triumph in Delhi marks a significant shift in the region’s political landscape.

The party’s landslide victory in Delhi’s 2025 Assembly elections comes after a long wait of over 27 years. BJP is set to win 48 seats in Delhi’s 70-seat assembly, with the rest going to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Congress has come up with zero seats for the third consecutive time in Delhi elections.

The BJP had struggled in the past two elections, winning only three and eight seats in 2015 and 2020, respectively, as the AAP maintained its stronghold.

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However, this time, the party’s aggressive campaign strategy and voter sentiment swung in its favour, ensuring its return to power in the capital.

Key factors behind BJP’s success

One of the major turning points in the Delhi elections was the BJP’s sustained attack on AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal’s reputation. The party capitalised on the alleged liquor policy scam, in which Kejriwal was accused of corruption and arrested, spending five months in jail.

Additionally, the controversy surrounding the renovation of the Delhi Chief Minister’s residence, dubbed “Sheeshmahal” (palace of mirrors), further damaged AAP’s credibility.

The BJP also promised financial assistance to key voter groups, including a monthly payment of Rs 2,500 to women from low-income families, a one-time payment of Rs 21,000 to pregnant women, and subsidised LPG cylinders.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi framed these commitments as part of a broader economic relief strategy.

Haryana and Rajasthan: Maintaining momentum

The BJP’s success in Delhi follows its recent victories in Haryana and Rajasthan, reinforcing its dominance in North India.

In the 2024 Haryana Legislative Assembly elections, the BJP defied exit poll predictions of a Congress-led victory and secured 48 out of 90 seats, marking its third consecutive term in the state. This achievement was historic, as no party had previously won three back-to-back terms in Haryana.

Similarly, in Rajasthan, the BJP reclaimed power in the 2023 Assembly elections by winning 115 seats. The victory continued the state’s trend of alternating governments every five years, with Bhajan Lal Sharma taking over as the new Chief Minister.

North India: The BJP’s political fortress

With its continued rule in Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand since 2017 and recent triumphs in Delhi, Haryana, and Rajasthan, the BJP has firmly established itself as the dominant force in North India.

The region’s support is crucial for the party’s long-term strategy, particularly as it seeks to strengthen its presence in the upper house of parliament.

Despite facing challenges in the 2024 general elections, where it lost its parliamentary majority and had to rely on coalition partners, the BJP has demonstrated resilience through successive state election victories.

Each win not only cements its regional influence but also provides leverage in national governance.

With inputs from agencies