Despite being confident of a third-straight victory in the Delhi Assembly Elections, the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) received a rude shock today as its rival the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept into power, defeating the 10-year rule of Arvind Kejriwal. But why did AAP lose the elections?

As per a recent survey conducted by the research and data agency LocalCircles, the defeat of the AAP is widely viewed as a referendum on its governance style and its efforts to maintain a clean image amid corruption allegations. Former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal spent considerable time during his tenure addressing issues related to Delhi’s limited control over law and order due to the Lieutenant Governor's oversight.

During the campaign, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi defended AAP’s governance, highlighting achievements such as free electricity, improved healthcare, and subsidies for public transport. The government’s major welfare initiatives included the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojna, which promised monthly assistance of INR 1,000 to women, to be increased to Rs 2,100 post-elections.

Survey Findings: Public Perception of AAP’s Performance

Water Supply

Water supply remains a persistent issue in the national capital, with only 35% of sewage treatment plants meeting quality standards. Despite this, 51% of surveyed residents noted some improvement in the city's water supply. While 26% observed significant improvement, 36% stated that there was no change, and 13% felt the situation had worsened.

Healthcare Services

AAP’s focus on healthcare, including the expansion of Mohalla Clinics and government hospital reforms, received a lukewarm response in the survey. While 49% of respondents acknowledged some improvement, 37% reported that healthcare services had worsened over the last five years.

Power Supply

AAP’s push for renewable energy and subsidies on electricity bills led to 50% of residents acknowledging some improvement in power supply. However, 42% of respondents claimed there was no improvement, while 8% believed the situation had deteriorated.

Government School Education

AAP’s emphasis on education, which saw budget allocations for schools and infrastructure, yielded mixed reactions. Only 34% of respondents saw improvement, with 33% stating there was no change and another 33% believing the system had worsened.

Doorstep Delivery of Services

AAP's initiative for doorstep delivery of 40 essential public services, such as marriage certificates and driving licenses, received poor ratings. Only 25% of users rated the service as average or good, while 50% deemed it ineffective or defunct.

Air Quality Measures

Efforts to combat air pollution in Delhi were rated poorly. A staggering 80% of respondents felt that the government had made no substantial efforts, while only 20% rated their efforts as average or better.

Corruption in Public Services

With multiple AAP leaders facing corruption charges, only 23% of respondents felt corruption had reduced in government services, while 36% believed it had increased over the past five years.

Public Transport Services

Bus transport services, crucial for last-mile connectivity in Delhi, received mixed reviews. While 38% of respondents said bus services had improved, 29% reported a decline in quality.

Last Word

The LocalCircles survey highlights a divided public perception of AAP’s governance over the past five years. While welfare schemes in healthcare, education, and electricity have found some appreciation, critical issues like air pollution, corruption, and public service delivery remain significant concerns. The election results reflect this dissatisfaction.

Arving Kejriwal

Air pollution, corruption, water supply: Survey shows why Arvind Kejriwal lost Delhi