What Is 2015 Delhi state assembly elections

Overview

The 2015 Delhi Legislative Assembly election marked a major political shift in the National Capital Territory. Held on February 7, it followed the collapse of a short-lived AAP government in 2014, prompting fresh elections to restore stable governance.

The results reflected a dramatic public rejection of both national parties in favor of the anti-corruption Aam Aadmi Party. AAP’s sweeping victory reshaped Delhi’s political landscape and signaled strong voter support for alternative politics.

• AAP won 67 out of 70 seats, a dramatic increase from the 28 seats it won in the 2013 elections, showcasing a surge in public confidence.
• Voter turnout reached 67.5%, up from 64.8% in 2013, indicating heightened civic engagement following political instability.
• The BJP secured only 3 seats, despite winning the national Lok Sabha election in Delhi just months earlier in May 2014.
• The Indian National Congress was completely wiped out, losing all representation after winning 8 seats in 2013.
• Arvind Kejriwal defeated BJP’s Nupur Sharma in the New Delhi constituency by over 31,000 votes, reclaiming his seat as Chief Minister.

How It Works

The Delhi Legislative Assembly operates under India’s parliamentary system, with elections held every five years unless dissolved earlier. The 2015 election followed the resignation of the AAP-led minority government after its budget was blocked.

• Term: The elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) serve a five-year term unless the Assembly is dissolved earlier due to political deadlock or no-confidence motions. The 2015 Assembly completed its full term until 2020.
• Single-member constituencies: Delhi is divided into 70 constituencies, each electing one MLA through first-past-the-post voting, where the candidate with the most votes wins.
• Reservation policy:9 constituencies are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC), ensuring representation for historically marginalized communities; no seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes.
• Election Commission oversight: The Election Commission of India managed the entire electoral process, including voter registration, polling, and result certification, ensuring transparency and fairness.
• Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs): All polling stations used EVMs, which were later upgraded with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems to enhance credibility.
• Code of Conduct: A model code of conduct was enforced from the announcement date, restricting parties from making promises or holding rallies in the final 48 hours.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s a comparison of the 2015 Delhi election results with the previous 2013 election:

The table highlights AAP’s massive gains, nearly doubling its seat count despite only a modest increase in vote share. The BJP maintained a strong vote share but failed to convert it into seats due to concentrated support, while Congress saw a dramatic decline in both votes and influence.

Why It Matters

The 2015 election was a turning point in Indian regional politics, demonstrating the power of anti-establishment sentiment and grassroots mobilization. It also set the stage for AAP’s expansion beyond Delhi in subsequent years.

• Historic mandate: AAP’s 67-seat win was one of the largest in any Indian state election, giving it a strong democratic mandate to govern.
• End of Congress relevance: The party’s zero seats in Delhi signaled its continued decline in urban North Indian politics.
• BJP’s urban challenge: Despite national dominance, the loss in Delhi revealed difficulties in connecting with urban voters on local issues.
• Policy impact: The AAP government launched major initiatives like improved government schools and doorstep delivery of services.
• Model for other parties: AAP’s focus on transparency and local governance inspired similar movements in other states.
• Women’s representation: The election saw an increase in female candidates, though only 8 women were elected, highlighting ongoing gender gaps.

The 2015 Delhi election remains a benchmark for how anti-corruption platforms and localized governance can reshape electoral outcomes in India’s largest cities.