The Fall of AAP: Delhi Lost, Punjab at Risk, and a Leadership in Crisis

Paromita Das

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 12th Feb. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), once seen as a disruptive force in Bharatiya politics, is now facing the gravest crisis of its existence. The results of the 2025 Delhi Assembly Elections have shaken the party to its core, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) securing a decisive victory, ending AAP’s decade-long rule in the capital. For a party that was synonymous with governance in Delhi, this loss is not just an electoral setback but a major blow to its credibility and long-term political survival.

Arvind Kejriwal, the face of AAP, not only failed to secure another term for his party but also lost his own seat—a symbolic and strategic defeat that raises questions about his leadership, policies, and the future of his movement. The consequences of this loss are expected to extend beyond Delhi, particularly to Punjab, where AAP’s hold was already shaky. As internal conflicts, legal troubles, and financial constraints mount, the party’s dream of national expansion appears to be slipping away.

Can AAP Retain Punjab After Delhi’s Defeat?

AAP’s victory in Punjab in 2022 was largely built on the promise of replicating the so-called “Delhi Model”—a governance style that focused on welfare schemes, free electricity, and an anti-corruption narrative. However, with Delhi voters now rejecting AAP, the credibility of this model is being questioned. If the people of Delhi—who experienced Kejriwal’s governance firsthand—have turned their backs on AAP, why should Punjab continue to trust it?

Punjab’s political landscape is already turbulent, and AAP’s rule there has been anything but smooth. The government, led by Bhagwant Mann, is struggling with financial mismanagement, growing public dissatisfaction, and a lack of major economic progress. The very section of voters that propelled AAP to power in Punjab is now showing signs of discontent. Farmers, a key support base, are unhappy with unfulfilled promises, and industrialists see no substantial growth prospects under AAP’s leadership. The state’s debt crisis is worsening due to excessive spending on welfare schemes, and the perception that Kejriwal remotely controls Punjab’s government has only added to the unrest.

With Kejriwal’s influence diminishing, Mann’s authority is likely to be tested further. If AAP cannot regain public confidence, Punjab may soon follow Delhi’s trajectory, leaving the party with no significant foothold in Bharatiya politics.

Financial Crisis: End of AAP’s National Ambitions?

AAP has long relied on an aggressive advertising strategy to build its image. The party has often been criticized for excessive spending on publicity, with funds from the Delhi government being channeled into nationwide advertisements despite AAP having no political presence in many states. This allowed Kejriwal to project himself as a national leader, but with Delhi now out of AAP’s hands, the financial pipeline that fueled these campaigns is effectively cut off.

The Punjab government, which is already struggling with a financial crisis, is unlikely to sustain the kind of ad spending that Delhi once did. Without the ability to dominate the media with promotional campaigns, AAP’s national presence will diminish further. This also means that expansion efforts into other states will come to a standstill, marking the end of AAP’s dream of becoming a pan-India political force.

Who Will Lead AAP If Kejriwal Is Jailed?

One of the biggest uncertainties surrounding AAP is its leadership crisis. Multiple corruption cases, including the infamous liquor scam, have put Kejriwal and other senior leaders under intense legal scrutiny. With key figures like Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain already facing legal troubles, there is a strong possibility that Kejriwal could be arrested again.

The party currently has no clear succession plan. While Atishi remains one of the few senior leaders who survived the Delhi election debacle, Kejriwal’s reluctance to pass on power suggests that AAP could face internal chaos if he is removed from the picture. Bhagwant Mann, who leads Punjab, may be considered as a possible face for AAP’s leadership, but his growing political ambitions and Kejriwal’s tight control over the party make such a transition unlikely.

Raghav Chadha, another prominent leader, is largely occupied with his Rajya Sabha commitments, leaving very few alternatives for AAP. Some speculate that Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, could take over in his absence, similar to how she managed party affairs when he was in Tihar Jail. However, this remains speculative and does not address the core issue—AAP’s over-dependence on a single leader.

AAP’s Future: A Slow But Inevitable Decline?

With no power in Delhi, a weakening hold over Punjab, legal troubles mounting, and financial resources depleting, AAP’s future looks increasingly uncertain. The party, which once positioned itself as an alternative to traditional political forces, is now struggling to maintain its own existence.

The road ahead is filled with challenges. If AAP fails to regain trust in Punjab, its last remaining stronghold, the party could face an irreversible decline. Without a clear strategy, credible leadership, and financial backing, it is unlikely that AAP will recover from its current crisis. The 2025 Delhi election was not just an electoral defeat—it was a turning point that exposed the vulnerabilities of AAP’s leadership, governance, and long-term vision.

What was once a political revolution now appears to be a movement in decline. AAP’s survival depends on its ability to reinvent itself, but given the current circumstances, the question remains—does AAP have the resilience to fight back, or is this the beginning of the end?