In an election held a few months ahead of Delhi assembly elections 2025, the Aam Aadmi Party failed miserably and could not win a single seat in Haryana where it contested for all 90 seats. In a blow to the exit polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party has taken an edge in almost half of the 90 seats.
The 2024 battle for Haryana Assembly polls was expected to be a real litmus test for the Aam Aadmi Party with its broader political quest beyond Delhi and Punjab. The AAP’s failure to stamp itself on Haryana throws sharp questions on strategy, voter appeal, and leadership in the state. Since AAP did not have an overwhelming presence in Haryana, the failure might also have its repercussions on the prospects of the party in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections for which the stakes are not at all lower for Arvind Kejriwal and his party.
AAP’s Missteps In Haryana
One of the key reasons for AAP’s failure in Haryana was the absence of strong, recognizable leaders with deep local connections. Unlike in Delhi, where Arvind Kejriwal’s popularity drives the party, Haryana voters could not relate to the AAP leadership. In a state dominated by well-established leaders from BJP, Congress, and regional parties like INLD and JJP, AAP failed to present a formidable alternative. Another critical factor that contributed to AAP’s underperformance in Haryana was its inability to forge strategic alliances. Regional players like Dushyant Chautala’s Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) hold considerable influence, but AAP remained isolated, limiting its reach. In contrast, BJP’s ability to manage alliances with regional leaders gave it an advantage over AAP in certain areas.
Haryana has traditionally been a stronghold for the BJP, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity playing a key role in the party’s dominance. In the 2024 Assembly elections, the BJP successfully mobilized this support base, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas. The Modi factor, combined with BJP’s local leadership under leaders like Anil Vij and Manohar Lal Khattar, made it difficult for AAP to gain traction.
Impact On Delhi Assembly Elections 2025
This would pose several roadblocks for AAP in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections. As Kejriwal has a very strong electoral base in Delhi, this result in Haryana may still cast a shadow of perception over the party as the inability of AAP to breach in Haryana may raise a doubt over AAP’s expansion policy and also over its viability as a national party. While Kejriwal has successfully governed Delhi for more than one term, repeated electoral setbacks in Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Goa could make the struggle stiff for the Aam Aadmi Party.
While AAP continues to be strong in Delhi, if the BJP could consolidate its campaign based on AAP’s poor showing in Haryana, the party might well succeed in the national capital. The BJP, which has been targeting AAP’s governance record in Delhi consistently, might have the additional advantage of pointing to the broader electoral failures of the AAP.The 2024 general elections showed that BJP’s appeal remains robust in urban centers, and if the party can build on this momentum, it could pose a serious threat to AAP’s dominance in Delhi.
