Patna: The defeat of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress in the Delhi Assembly elections has triggered fresh tensions within the opposition INDIA alliance, with leaders in Bihar offering contrasting reactions to the outcome. While some defended Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, others used the result to target the opposition.
Reacting to the BJP’s decisive victory, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav dismissed suggestions that the ruling party’s electoral strategy in Delhi would work in Bihar. “This is Bihar; it is not easy to understand Bihar,” he said. However, he acknowledged the electorate’s mandate, adding: “In a democracy, the public’s decision is paramount. The people are the masters, and they decide who comes to power.” Tejashwi did not elaborate on what he believed to be the BJP’s winning formula in Delhi.
Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Samrat Chaudhary took a sharper tone, alleging that AAP’s governance had been built on “lies and deceit.” “The way Kejriwal’s government was spreading falsehoods and mistreating Biharis and Purvanchalis in Delhi, the people of Purvanchal have now taken their revenge,” he said.
Upendra Kushwaha, chief of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha also weighed in, stating that the election results reflected public anger towards Kejriwal. “The people were very upset with AAP’s leadership. A BJP government in Delhi is a positive development,” he said.
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan hailed the BJP’s victory as a testament to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP President JP Nadda. “This win is a symbol of the central government’s development work and the trust of the people. I campaigned for NDA in several constituencies, and it was clear that Delhi wanted change,” Chirag said, crediting the electorate for rejecting corruption.
Former Bihar Chief Minister and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi also took a swipe at Congress, predicting that the party would soon blame its defeat on electronic voting machines (EVMs). “Since yesterday, Congress leaders have been crying foul over EVMs and voter list irregularities. They will certainly make such excuses now,” he said.
The Delhi election outcome marks a significant political shift, with the BJP returning to power in the capital after 27 years. The party secured 48 of the 70 assembly seats, while AAP managed to win just 22.
