India’s ruling party concedes defeat in Delhi elections, first blow for Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conceded defeat on Tuesday in the Delhi state elections as early results show anti-corruption campaigner Arvind Kejriwal’s party set for a landslide victory. Modi is assuring Kejriwal of the national government’s “complete support” following the right-wing premier’s first election loss since storming to power at general polls last May.

While Delhi is not very significant in electoral terms, a BJP loss there shatters the popular narrative around the BJP’s invincibility.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Early tallies show that Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was leading in just three seats in the 70-seat state assembly, with former Delhi chief minister Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead in 66. Kejriwal’s victory marks a stunning comeback for the anti-graft champion and self-styled anarchist, who resigned following a chaotic 49-day spell in charge of the Delhi state government a year ago. Thousands of AAP supporters massed outside the party’s headquarters in Delhi, dancing, singing and waving flags with pictures of former tax official Kejriwal while chanting his name. Observers say the defeat is a blow for a prime minister who has enjoyed an extended honeymoon with voters since his landslide general election victory.

Politics Delhi Elections