The BJP-Akali Dal Alliance has won 32 constituencies of Delhi. This is about six to eight seats short of our expectations. We have narrowly lost in some assembly segments. Even though we have managed to retain a large part of our traditional votes, there was some shift even in middle class localities to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The Congress was no longer a serious option in Delhi. Residents of Delhi were considering which of the two alternatives to vote for— the BJP or the AAP.
The AAP may have got lesser votes and seats than the BJP. However, that is not a ground for satisfaction for the BJP. The BJP’s march to comfortable majority has not been interrupted by the Congress. It has been interrupted by AAP. The lesson of the 32 constituencies that the BJP has won clearly reveals that most candidates who were well grounded in the constituencies and appeared to be electorally acceptable have won. The lesson for the BJP of these results is that the credibility-quotient counts in an election. The image of the leadership, as also of the candidate, must inspire confidence amongst the voters. The announcement of Dr Harsh Vardhan’s name as the BJP’s Chief Ministerial candidate helped the BJP. Those who have a track record of serving their constituency well, have a better chance of being elected. Just getting a party nomination even in a stronghold is not enough. The days of conventional politics are now over.