Delhi polls: How 2.06 percentage points got BJP 26 more seats than AAP

As many as 14 BJP candidates won by a margin of more than 20,000 votes. In AAP's case, there were only eight such candidates.

Written by: Ankita Upadhyay, Sakshi Chand

2 min readNew DelhiFeb 9, 2025 04:47 PM IST

BJP workers celebrate election results at Delhi BJP office, in New Delhi on Saturday. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

Delhi polls: The BJP defeated the AAP by a margin of 26 seats in the Delhi Assembly polls, but the difference in vote share between the two parties was 2.06 percentage points only. While the BJP emerged victorious on 48 seats with a voting percentage of 45.61%, the AAP could win only 22 despite a vote share of 43.55%.

From 8 seats in 2020 to 48 in 2025, the BJP saw a significant jump in the number of winning seats while its vote share increased by 7.1 percentage points.

Similarly, the AAP witnessed a 10.02 percentage point drop in its vote share from 53.57% it secured in 2020 elections, but its seat tally dropped from 62 to 22.

Explained | Explained: The political history of Delhi

As many as 14 BJP candidates won by a margin of more than 20,000 votes. In AAP’s case, there were only eight such candidates.

Even the Congress saw its vote share drop massively from 24.55% in 2013 to 9.65% in 2015 and 4.26% in 2019. In 2025, Congress’s vote share increased by 2.09 percentage points to 6.35%.

The only party which managed to increase its vote share slowly over the years in the state was the BJP. In 2013, when the BJP won 32 seats, its vote share was 33.07%. In 2015, the vote share was more or less in the same bracket at 32.19% but its seats dropped to three.

Also Read | Manish Sisodia to Arvind Kejriwal, AAP lost 9 tight fights to BJP, won four

In 2020, there was an increase of around 6 percentage points in the BJP’s vote share but its seats tally rose to eight.

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In this election, even though the BJP’s vote share jumped by only 7.1 percentage points — from 38.51% to 45.61% — it gained 40 more seats in Delhi, dislodging the AAP after 10 years.

The AAP’s vote share in 2013 elections, when it bagged 28 seats, was 29.49%. It saw a sharp increase in its vote share in 2015 when it won 67 seats with 54.34% votes. A similar trend was also seen in 2020 elections: AAP secured 53.57% vote share and 62 seats.

Sakshi Chand

Sakshi Chand is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. With over a decade of experience in investigative journalism, she is a leading voice on crime, the prison system, and institutional governance in the National Capital. Professional Background Specialization: Her reporting focus includes high-stakes crime, national security, prison reforms, and traffic governance. Key Coverage: She has been on the frontlines of major events such as the 2G spectrum case, the 2020 North-East Delhi riots, and communal clashes across Uttar Pradesh (Kasganj, Aligarh). Earlier Career: Before joining The Indian Express, she was a reporter for The Times of India. Personal Interests: Outside of her career in journalism, Sakshi is a National-level basketball player and coach, bringing a unique sporting discipline to her professional life. Major Recent Coverage (Late 2025) Her reporting in the latter half of 2025 has been dominated by a major terror investigation and administrative accountability: 1. The Red Fort Blast Investigation Throughout November and December 2025, Sakshi led the coverage of a car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort: Forensic Breakthroughs: She reported on the use of TATP and ammonium nitrate in the IED and identified the shops where raw materials were sourced (Nov 14-16, 2025). The "i20 Route": She meticulously tracked the journey of the vehicle used in the blast, tracing it to a Pulwama-based resident who entered Delhi via the Badarpur toll plaza (Nov 12, 2025). Victim Support: She recently reported on the Delhi Police providing a list of damaged vehicle owners to the Finance Ministry to expedite insurance claims for those caught in the blast (Dec 4, 2025). 2. Crime & Police Accountability "Crackdown on Extortion Gangs": In December 2025, she reported on a syndicate that was blackmailing traffic cops. Following five arrests, the Special CP directed officers to report all such attempts (Dec 12, 2025). "Corruption in the Ranks": She covered the arrest of five Delhi Police personnel by the Vigilance branch following a wave of public complaints (May 19, 2025). Cold Cases & International Murders: She has extensively tracked the case of a man who allegedly killed his wife in London and fled to India, reporting on his "Proclaimed Offender" status and the denial of his anticipatory bail (May 2025). 3. Governance & Public Policy "13,000 Homes for 90,000 Cops": A data-driven feature on why the majority of Delhi Police personnel are forced to live on rent despite the city's housing projects (May 4, 2025). Traffic Decongestion: Using her interest in urban logistics, she detailed how the Traffic Police eased congestion on Vikas Marg by switching off signals and creating U-turns (April 2, 2025). Signature Style Sakshi Chand is known for a data-driven and investigative approach. She frequently uses forensic reports, CCTV analysis, and administrative data to go beyond the "official version" of a crime story. Her work in prison reporting is particularly noted for highlighting the legal and humanitarian conditions of foreign detention centers and local jails. ... Read More

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