Delhi election verdict: AAP’s fall, BJP’s rise, and shifting narratives

The tide of political discourse changes swiftly—yesterday’s uncertainty turns into today’s certainty, and postmortems replace predictions. But while parties and candidates face scrutiny, why does no one question the voters?

From uncertainty to absolute certainty

Until the results were out, political analysts, observers, and self-proclaimed experts sat on the fence, hesitant to make definitive claims. Exit polls were divided, and no one was sure of the outcome. However, as soon as it became clear that BJP was winning, the narrative shifted entirely. The same analysts who refrained from making bold predictions yesterday are now dissecting AAP’s defeat with absolute conviction.

This is a recurring pattern in Indian elections. A party’s mistakes become magnified only after the verdict is clear. Some say AAP committed six blunders, others claim twelve, while a few argue that every decision in its second term led to its downfall. Yesterday’s neutral commentators have suddenly become experts in AAP’s “dictatorial leadership.”

Victory has many fathers, defeat is an orphan

It is common to celebrate winners and criticize losers, but the intensity with which this happens raises questions. BJP’s victory is being hailed as a masterstroke by Modi and Shah, with little acknowledgment of the uncertainties that prevailed before the election. Victory brings praise, defeat invites blame—but what about the larger picture of governance, voter expectations, and systemic issues?

Why are voters never wrong?

One aspect that remains untouched in electoral postmortems is the role of the voters. While parties and candidates face relentless criticism, no one questions whether the electorate made the right or wrong choice. The fundamental democratic principle is that the people’s verdict is final, yet this selective scrutiny—where leaders are held accountable but voters are always beyond fault—deserves reflection.

Failures and victories are common in politics, just as they are in life. “What glitters is not always gold,” and “the winner takes it all” remains the unspoken rule of electoral discourse. But amidst the celebrations and criticisms, a deeper question remains: should political wisdom only emerge after the results, or should there be consistent, fair, and critical analysis irrespective of who wins?

Elections: No absolute winners, No permanent losers

Political history reminds us that no party, leader, or ideology remains invincible forever. BJP, AAP, Congress—each has faced victories and setbacks. The essence of democracy is not just about winning elections but understanding why voters shift loyalties.

Some critics argue that AAP’s second-term missteps led to its defeat, while others credit BJP’s well-crafted campaign for the outcome. But the truth lies somewhere in between. As the saying goes, “All is fair in love and war,” and modern elections follow the same unpredictable rhythm—no one is entirely right or wrong, just as no one is a permanent victor or a perpetual loser.

Winning and losing in politics are not absolute truths; they are moments in an ever-evolving democratic cycle. Today’s defeat can be tomorrow’s resurgence, just as today’s victory holds no guarantees for the future. In the end, all are winners and all are losers, for power is fleeting.