The Congress party made a modest yet significant comeback in the Delhi elections, with its vote share increasing by 2%. This seemingly small rise had a major impact on key constituencies, where it played the role of a vote cutter, significantly affecting the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) performance.
How Congress Affected AAP’s Margins
📉 Vote Split in Crucial Seats: In several constituencies where AAP had a comfortable lead in previous elections, Congress’ resurgence split the anti-BJP vote, leading to reduced margins for AAP.
🔄 Shifting Traditional Voters: Congress, which had seen a sharp decline in Delhi politics since 2013, managed to regain some of its traditional voters, particularly among Muslims, Dalits, and senior citizens.
⚖ BJP Gained from the Division: With the non-BJP vote divided, the BJP benefitted in key contests, enabling it to increase its seat tally.
Key Seats Where Congress Hurt AAP
1️⃣ Okhla – AAP’s margin dropped significantly, as Congress reclaimed a section of its traditional vote bank.
2️⃣ Seelampur – Congress’ gains led to a tighter contest, impacting AAP’s dominance.
3️⃣ Ballimaran – Another constituency where Congress’ rise ate into AAP’s votes, making it a close race.
What Led to Congress’ Vote Share Increase?
🔹 Strategic Campaigning: Congress focused on local issues, reaching out to disenchanted AAP voters.
🔹 Anti-AAP Sentiment Over Scandals: The ‘Sheesh Mahal’ controversy and Delhi liquor policy scam dented AAP’s clean image, pushing some voters toward Congress.
🔹 Rahul Gandhi’s Outreach: His Bharat Jodo Yatra and other campaign efforts helped revive the party’s presence in Delhi.
The Road Ahead for AAP & Congress
✔ AAP Needs Damage Control: Addressing corruption allegations and regaining lost trust will be crucial.
✔ Congress’ Comeback Possibilities: If it continues to consolidate votes, it could emerge as a stronger contender in future elections.
✔ BJP’s Strategic Advantage: As long as the anti-BJP vote remains divided, the BJP stands to benefit from multi-cornered contests.
Final Thoughts
While Congress’ 2% vote share increase may seem small, its impact was decisive in reducing AAP’s margins across key constituencies. If this trend continues, Delhi’s political landscape could see a major shift in upcoming elections.
