Have you ever thought about why elections in Delhi or India sometimes feel more like a competition for power than a way to serve the people? In today’s politics, it’s not just about doing what’s best for the people but about using strategies to win. When we look at Delhi’s elections, it seems like political manifestos are more like a sales pitch—each party promises just enough to win votes but may not always focus on long-term solutions.
In this game of politics, winning power has become the most important goal. Political parties now treat voters like bidders in an auction, offering promises that are designed to influence public opinion. The real issues, like improving education, healthcare, or infrastructure, often take a backseat as the parties fight to gain control. It’s all about winning the numbers and securing power, even if the promises don’t always lead to real change.
Delhi, the capital of India, has witnessed major political changes over the years. From Congress ruling the state to the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and now the dominance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the political landscape of Delhi has evolved dramatically. But what does this evolution tell us about politics in the country today? Is the focus on the power of leaders more than the development of the state? Let’s look at the history of Delhi’s politics and how things have changed over time.
Early political days: Delhi as a part-C state
Delhi became the capital of British India in 1911, and after India gained independence in 1947, Delhi was made a Part-C state under the Constitution on January 26, 1950. At that time, Delhi had a legislative assembly, but its powers were very limited. Delhi’s political structure was not fully developed, and it continued under central control through appointed administrators and chief commissioners.
In the first election of 1951-52, Congress secured a majority, and Brahm Prakash became Delhi’s first Chief Minister. However, his term was short-lived as he had conflicts with the appointed Chief Commissioner. After a clash in 1955, Prakash resigned, and soon after, the Delhi Assembly was abolished in 1956. Delhi became a Union Territory, which meant that the power to govern the city was taken away from local leaders and was directly controlled by the central government.
The period without an assembly: 1956 to 1993
From 1956 to 1993, Delhi did not have an elected legislative Assembly. This period saw various attempts by politicians to regain control of local governance. While the Delhi Municipal Corporation was formed in 1957, local governance was still largely under the central government, and the people of Delhi did not have much say in how their city was run.
In 1966, a new act called the Delhi Administration Act was introduced. This created a Metropolitan Council, which had only advisory powers and no real decision-making authority. In the following years, despite a few elections, Delhi continued to be governed by the central government through appointed administrators. The political leaders of Delhi continued to demand a state government with full control over the city’s affairs, but their demands were not met.
The Delhi assembly reintroduced
The real change came in 1991 when the government of Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao restored some powers to Delhi. A new legislative assembly was created in Delhi with 70 seats. However, it still did not have control over critical areas like law and order (which remained with the central government through the Delhi Police) and land (which was under the Delhi Development Authority).
In 1993, the first Assembly elections were held after the reinstatement of the Delhi Assembly. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the dominant party with 49 seats, and Madan Lal Khurana became the Chief Minister. This marked the start of the BJP’s significant role in Delhi’s politics. However, the BJP’s grip on power started to weaken due to infighting within the party, leading to political instability. The Congress, which had been in power before, made a comeback under Sheila Dikshit in 1998.
The Sheila Dikshit era: 1998 to 2013
Sheila Dikshit became Delhi’s longest-serving chief minister, holding office from 1998 to 2013. During her tenure, Delhi saw significant development. Infrastructure improved, the Delhi Metro was built, and the city’s public transportation system was transformed. Under her leadership, the city also adopted CNG-powered buses, reducing pollution, and the power distribution system was privatised, bringing in more efficiency.
Even with the growth in Delhi’s infrastructure, the Congress party started to lose its popularity. Nationally, the Congress was dealing with corruption scandals and was no longer seen as a party that could lead the nation effectively. In Delhi, the BJP, though present, was still struggling to put up a strong challenge. The 2013 Assembly elections saw the rise of a new political force—the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The rise of AAP: A new political force
In 2012, a movement called “India Against Corruption” gained momentum, which eventually led to the creation of AAP in 2012. Arvind Kejriwal, a former civil servant, and his associates started the party with the promise of bringing transparency and accountability to politics. AAP’s rise was fuelled by a widespread anti-corruption sentiment, which resonated with many people, especially in urban areas.
In the 2013 Delhi Assembly elections, AAP made an impressive debut, winning 28 out of 70 seats. This result stunned many political observers, as the Congress, once the dominant party in Delhi, was reduced to just 8 seats. The BJP, which won 31 seats, failed to form a government. In an unexpected move, Kejriwal became the Chief Minister with the support of the Congress, though he had earlier promised not to seek support from them.
Kejriwal’s first tenure was short, lasting only 49 days, as he resigned after failing to push through anti-corruption legislation. Delhi then came under President’s Rule until fresh elections were held in 2015.
AAP’s victory and BJP’s struggles: 2015 to 2020
In 2015, AAP came back stronger than ever. Kejriwal led AAP to a landslide victory, winning 67 out of 70 seats in the Delhi Assembly. The BJP, which had previously ruled the country, was left with only 3 seats, while the Congress failed to win any seats.
AAP’s success was driven by its promises of better governance, free water, free electricity, and improved public services. Arvind Kejriwal became a great leader for many, and his leadership helped AAP secure a second term in 2020 with 62 seats. Meanwhile, the BJP was struggling to regain the confidence of Delhi voters, and the Congress had almost completely faded from the political scene.
BJP’s comeback: A new political dynamic
In the 2025 Delhi elections, the BJP focused on national issues, while AAP stuck to local governance and development. The BJP, which had once dominated Delhi, had to face the tough challenge of countering AAP’s success. Despite the BJP’s strong presence at the national level, AAP managed to retain its position in Delhi, signalling that local governance and development mattered more to the people than national politics.
However, the BJP has been able to gain some ground in recent years, winning 48 out of 70 seats in the 2025 elections. This success has once again shifted the political dynamic in Delhi, with the party focusing more on national issues like security and the economy.
The changing face of Delhi politics: What does it mean?
Delhi’s political history has been shaped by many parties and leaders. From the Congress to the BJP to AAP, each has had its own impact on the city. However, one thing remains clear: politics in Delhi is no longer just about governance. It is about power, image, and the influence of prominent leaders. Political parties today focus more on building the image of their leaders than on policies that impact the common people.
In recent years, Delhi’s politics has become more polarised, with parties often focusing on national issues to gain votes. For example, the BJP has focused on issues like national security and the economy, while AAP has focused on local issues like education and healthcare. This has led to a situation where local issues often take a back seat in political debates.
Delhi’s political history has been anything but simple. From being a Union Territory to gaining partial statehood and eventually getting a full-fledged Assembly, the city has undergone significant changes. The rise of AAP, the continued dominance of BJP, and the fall of Congress show how Delhi’s political landscape has evolved.
Today, the focus of politics in Delhi seems to be on the power of individual leaders rather than the issues that matter to people. With parties competing for leadership and focusing on their image, the real question is: will the politics of Delhi continue to be shaped by leaders, or will the people of Delhi start demanding more focus on development and better governance?