New Delhi: As BJP routed AAP in the Delhi assembly election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and expressed confidence in his party’s vision for the future of Delhi. He wrote, “Development wins, good governance triumphs.” He added: “It is our guarantee that we will leave no stone unturned in developing Delhi, improving the overall quality of life for the people and ensuring that Delhi has a prime role to play in building a Viksit Bharat.”
Jana Shakti is paramount!
Development wins, good governance triumphs.
I bow to my dear sisters and brothers of Delhi for this resounding and historic mandate to @BJP4India. We are humbled and honoured to receive these blessings.
It is our guarantee that we will leave no…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 8, 2025
The remark came against the backdrop of raging tussle between the BJP and AAP on a slew of projects in Delhi. Both parties have been at odds over major development and infrastructure projects. AAP has often blamed Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena for the delay or scuttling of some key plans in Delhi, while BJP has locked horns with Arvind Kejriwal’s party and has flayed the AAP for the poor implementation of various plans, pointing at mismanagement in the governance of Delhi.
As AAP and BJP trade charges, let us look at some of the projects that have triggered a political slugfest between the two parties and how the BJP’s convincing win might help in the overall implementation of these plans.
Mohalla Clinics project and health infrastructure: Mohalla Clinics was one of AAP’s flagship project. It was meant to offer accessible and affordable healthcare throughout Delhi’s neighbourhoods. But the project has drawn criticism from the BJP over the management and expansion of the clinics. The BJP contests that the project is a gimmick meant for political mileage rather than for providing real benefit to those who need it. In turn, the AAP has blamed the BJP-led central government for putting resources and funds on hold. The BJP has also raised concerns about Delhi’s overall health sector, hospital upgrades and accessibility to healthcare.
With its strong mandate now, the BJP may give a push for faster implementation and greater accountability in the health sector. It is likely to refurbish the clinics and make them more patient-friendly.
Urban beautification and roads: AAP had launched a number of projects to redevelop markets and roads in Delhi. It had put urban beautification on top of its agenda. Mouthing rhetoric, Kejriwal promised to make Delhi a Paris and London. While the AAP alleged that poor roads and lack of civic work was owing to the LG holding up projects, the BJP has been accusing the AAP government of not keeping its word. Drains continue to overflow, potholed roads make commute a nightmare, and irregular garbage collection raises a stink.
Now in control, the BJP is expected to accelerate the redevelopment of roads and urban infrastructure, and prioritise projects that align more closely with its national policies.
Yamuna clean-up project: The AAP government rolled out the Yamuna cleaning project to check the growing pollution and waste dumping along the sacred river. But, despite ambitious plans, there has been little progress. The BJP has often slammed the AAP for failing to bring about concrete results in the clean-up plan. Recently, Kejriwal even accused BJP-ruled Haryana for “poisoning” the river, a charge that was rubbished by Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini.
With its resounding victory, the BJP will give a stronger push for concrete action in the Yamuna cleaning, with a more focused approach, as the party controls both the Delhi government and the Centre. Yamuna clean-up will become the next big issue for the political parties and the BJP could launch a reformed plan to bring the lost glory of the river.
Water supply plan: Another big issue in Delhi has been water supply by the Delhi Jal Board. While AAP has claimed success in improving distribution of water to various parts of the city, the BJP has challenged the claims and contended that many areas are still reeling under inadequate water supply. In June last year, LG wrote an open letter to Kejriwal stating: “Instead of fixing the iniquitous water supply, you and your ministers created a chimera of free water. Deception of people has been mastered into an art form by you and your ministers.” More recently, Delhi CM Atishi and Delhi LG Saxena engaged in a war of words over the water supply issue.
After getting an overwhelming mandate, the BJP is likely to roll out more extensive measures to address water scarcity in the capital and implement water policy that goes a long way in equal distribution of this natural resource.
Education infra and reforms: AAP had apparently revamped government schools and its leader Manish Sisodia had claimed that Delhi’s government-run schools were world-class. The party showcased their infrastructure, as it projected them as their major success. However, the BJP has been flaying the execution of the education reforms, and raised question over their long-term sustainability of the reforms.
As the BJP is in power, the party will have a freehand to roll out new educational policies, and get more centralised funding and resources for them. A more centralised framework should potentially give a new vigour to these projects.
The BJP has shown its intention to fast-track development projects and take a more direct approach to governing Delhi. This strategy could result in faster approvals for infrastructure initiatives and a greater role for central agencies in ushering local development.
