New Delhi: With the terrific victory in Delhi assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party is all set to form a government in a National capital. From its door to door campaigning to reaching out to the most internal areas, everything played a pivotal role in AAP's historical victory.
Less than a year ago, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seemed out of political arena after its abysmal performance in the Lok Sabha elections.
Complete overhaul of its organisational structure and a sharper election agenda focusing on the middle and lower class have helped revive the party's political fortunes.
Here we have listed five factors that lead AAP to the glorious victory in Delhi.
1. Kejriwal's apology and come back: Everyone deserves a second chance, so does Arvind Kejriwal. On every available opportunity, Kejriwal apologized to the voters for quitting after 49 days in his previous term. Kejriwal's apology made him look sincere and enhanced his 'aam aadmi' appeal. In addition, in a deliberate strategy, Kejriwal toned down his "anarchist" image.
2. No Modi wave in Delhi: There was no Modi ‘leher' in Delhi. Everywhere it was “Muffler man” who was setting new trends. This was a state election and it was all about the CM candidate Kejriwal. Even in last assembly polls, many voters had said that they would vote for Kejriwal in assembly polls and for Modi in the Lok Sabha elections.
Wearing a suit with his name embedded on it certainly did nothing to help PM Narendra Modi and the BJP in the Delhi polls. The media was quick to brand it as Rs 10 lakh suit. On the other hand, Arvjnd Kejriwal with his muffler was the quintessential the “aam aadmi”.
3. Anti-incumbency: Anti-incumbency did not work in Delhi for the BJP. Unlike other states, where the BJP gained from anti-incumbency, the picture was different in Delhi. The Hindu-Muslim polarization was not a factor in Delhi assembly polls. Moreover, AAP had consciously worked to avoid any polarization of voters on religious grounds. It was also quick to reject the support of Jama Masjid's Shahi Imam Bukhari.
4. AAP's appeal among Muslims: Though detailed election data is yet to come till filing of this report, but all reports point to overwhelming support of AAP among Muslims. In the last assembly election, the Muslim vote was divided between AAP and Congress. But this time, it was clear from the beginning that it is going to be a direct fight between the BJP and AAP. Hence, the AAP was able to get sizable Muslim votes. Moreover, AAP had consciously worked to avoid any polarization of voters on religious grounds.
5. Bedi factor failed to click for BJP: BJP's strategy to put Kiran Bedi as the BJP's CM candidate was appeared as a masterstroke by Amit Shah. But gradually things turned out to be unhelpful for BJP. The local BJP workers were not happy with sudden elevation of Bedi. In almost all exit poll results Arvind Kejriwal was head of Bedi.
