Polity & GovernanceImportant2025-02-08

Delhi Assembly Election Results Declared

In News

What Happened

On February 8, 2025, the Election Commission of India declared the results for the 70-member Delhi Legislative Assembly elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 48 seats, securing a clear majority. This marks the BJP's return to power in the National Capital Territory after a gap of 27 years, defeating the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party.

Why It Matters

This political shift impacts the power dynamic in the National Capital Territory, aligning the state government with the central government. It has significant implications for urban governance, the administrative control of Delhi's bureaucracy, and the ongoing debate over statehood and the powers of the Lieutenant Governor.

Background

History & Context

Delhi was granted a Legislative Assembly and Council of Ministers through the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1991, which inserted Article 239AA on the recommendations of the S. Balakrishnan Committee. Despite having an elected government, key areas like police, public order, and land remain under the Union government via the Lieutenant Governor (LG). Tensions between the elected government and the LG have characterized Delhi's governance in recent years, culminating in the GNCTD (Amendment) Act, 2023, which solidified central control over bureaucratic services.

What Changed

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BEFORE: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) held a commanding majority in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, often leading to friction with the BJP-led central government. NOW: The BJP holds the majority with 48 seats, aligning the state and central political leadership.
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BEFORE: Governance in Delhi was characterized by frequent legal and administrative clashes over the control of services and bureaucratic appointments. NOW: With a unified political alignment, the administrative friction between the Chief Minister's office and the Lieutenant Governor is expected to decrease.
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BEFORE: The BJP had not formed a government in Delhi since 1998, serving primarily as the principal opposition. NOW: The BJP returns to executive power in the National Capital Territory after 27 years.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This event connects directly to Class 11 Indian Constitution at Work Chapter 7 - Federalism. The unique asymmetric federal structure of Delhi under Article 239AA serves as a practical example of the complex power-sharing arrangements and jurisdictional overlaps between the Union government and Union Territories with legislatures.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the governance of the National Capital Territory of Delhi? 1. The Legislative Assembly of Delhi was created by the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act. 2. The elected government of Delhi has legislative competence over public order, police, and land.

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