Kejriwal’s Comeback: AAP Humiliates BJP to Set National Revival

Victories in Gujarat and Punjab mark resurgence after Delhi loss; Gopal Italia, Sanjeev Arora lead giant-killing charge

By MANISH ANAND

NEW DELHI, June 24, 2025 – The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) emerged as the clear winner in the recent bypolls held for five Assembly seats across four states, marking a significant political comeback for its national convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

The results reflect a resurgence for the party, which was reeling from its recent defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections. Kejriwal, seen as the face of the party, has proven his continued relevance on the national political stage—silencing critics who had prematurely written off the AAP’s prospects.

The victories in Punjab and Gujarat came despite formidable odds. After the party’s loss in Delhi, many political observers predicted AAP’s rapid decline. Delhi, once the launchpad of Kejriwal’s national ambitions, had seemingly rejected his appeal based on personal integrity and governance. That loss dented the image of ‘Brand Kejriwal’—a brand built on the promise of clean politics.

In Gujarat’s Visavadar Assembly seat, AAP pulled off a major upset. The seat went to polls after AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani defected to the BJP—a move consistent with the saffron party’s longstanding strategy of neutralizing opposition by absorbing their leaders, particularly in Gujarat. Backed by former state BJP chief and Union Minister C.R. Patil, the BJP fielded Kirit Patel, confident of victory. Yet, it was AAP’s former state president Gopal Italia who scripted a stunning turnaround, defeating Patel despite the BJP’s full-force campaign. Italia’s victory extended the BJP’s 18-year drought in the constituency and showcased AAP’s grassroots resilience.

For the AAP, Gujarat is seen as most fertile grounds for party’s expansion. The AAP had made a spectacular entry in the state politics by winning big in Surat municipal elections. The AAP also bagged double digit vote share in the 2022 Gujarat Assembly elections. The AAP may potentially now become a glue for the BJP rivals in Gujarat ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

In Punjab, the Ludhiana West Assembly seat offered another high-voltage contest. AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora trounced Congress heavyweight Bharat Bhushan Ashu, pushing the BJP to a distant third. Arora’s vote tally exceeded the combined total of BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidates—an emphatic validation of AAP’s grip on the state.

Following the results, former Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj remarked on X (formerly Twitter) that these bypoll victories would pave the way for the party’s national expansion. With Kejriwal likely to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha as Arora’s replacement, the former Delhi Chief Minister appears poised to stage a remarkable political revival.

For now, Kejriwal has turned adversity into opportunity—returning not just with a bang, but with renewed momentum to reshape AAP’s national ambitions.

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About The Author

Manish Anand

Manish Anand is a senior journalist with more than two decades of hardcore reporting on beats such as Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament, BJP, Congress, Planning Commission, NITI Aayog, and scores of Union Ministries.

His past has been with The New Indian Express, The Asian Age/Deccan Chronicle, and The Statesman.

For about 15 years, Manish was also a regular commentator and host for talks on AIR on foreign affairs.

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