Urdu dailies have made a clear assessment of the Delhi poll results, suggesting that Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) defeat was inevitable. They argued that while the BJP’s momentum continues, AAP paid the price for straying from its original path in the rough world of power politics. The dailies also pointed to the tense relationship between AAP and Congress, suggesting that had the fragmented Opposition alliance, INDIA, been stronger in the capital, it might have been able to prevent the BJP’s victory.

SIASAT
In its February 9 editorial, the Hyderabad-based Siasat noted that the BJP’s comeback in Delhi, after nearly 30 years, dealt a devastating blow to the ruling AAP. The editorial emphasized that the defeat did not come as a surprise, as there had been growing unrest within AAP for some time. “Throughout the campaign, AAP seemed on the defensive, signaling a lack of confidence in retaining power,” it stated. This was in stark contrast to the confident and aggressive strategies AAP employed in previous elections like 2013, 2015, and 2020, with Kejriwal leading the charge. However, in 2025, the editorial pointed out Kejriwal appeared uncertain and shaky, weighed down by corruption allegations related to the excise policy scam, which benefited the BJP.

The editorial also highlighted how Kejriwal and his deputy, Manish Sisodia, withdrew from the scene after being implicated in the alleged liquor scam, which empowered the BJP. The dailies noted that AAP, originally formed as an anti-corruption movement offering an alternative political vision, lost ground after the corruption allegations gained traction, with the BJP launching a major public campaign against it. This resentment against AAP’s leadership was reflected in the election results, with many top figures, including Kejriwal and Sisodia, losing their seats.

Another factor in AAP’s downfall, according to the editorial, was Kejriwal’s overconfidence. His attempts to expand AAP’s influence beyond Delhi, despite lacking experience in state-level politics, weakened the party’s position in several state elections. “It’s time for Kejriwal to seriously introspect about his political journey,” the editorial concluded.

INQUILAB
The Inquilab editorial on February 8 shifted focus to the deportation of 104 illegal Indian immigrants from the US, criticizing the way the Trump administration handled the process. It acknowledged that immigrants must enter foreign countries legally but questioned how so many had managed to live and work in the US without proper status for so long. The editorial pointed out that these individuals were not criminals but small-time workers, yet were treated as if they were a burden to the US. The deportation process carried out without due process, was described as a violation of human rights. The paper also expressed concern that the Indian government did not take stronger action to ensure that the deportation was carried out unfairly and humanely despite the friendly ties between India and the US.

SIASAT
In a February 10 editorial, Siasat commented on the BJP’s plans to target West Bengal after ousting AAP in Delhi. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in Bengal, claimed that Mamata Banerjee would meet the same fate as Kejriwal. The editorial, however, cautioned that defeating Mamata in Bengal would not be as easy as the Delhi victory. It pointed out the intense efforts the BJP made during the 2021 Bengal Assembly elections, with PM Modi and Amit Shah personally involved in the campaign. Despite this, Mamata managed to win, and the BJP faced another setback in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The editorial argued that Mamata, who received a larger mandate in 2021, had successfully withstood multiple BJP challenges. It concluded by acknowledging Mamata’s resilience and determination in defending Bengal from BJP’s aggressive tactics.