By: Keyur Seta

Many felt that the exit polls over-estimated Aam Aadmi Party’s win percentage in the 2015 Delhi Elections. However, the results have stunned or, rather, shocked everyone. With AAP winning as many as 67 out of the 70 seats and Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) reduced to an embarrassing 3, it looks like the exit polls were actually under-estimated.

Despite BJP winning the Lok Sabha polls last year with a resounding majority, the party is now in shackles after just seven months in power. If we analyze closely, the actions and intentions of the BJP, right from the time they formed government at the center, are to be blamed for this.

Let’s have a look at them:

Communal Politics: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi time and again stressed that his party will only focus on good governance and development. However, some prominent people from his party and some affiliate organizations like RSS had other plans. Communal statements and slogans like Ram Zade-Haram Zade, Ghar Wapsi, Bahu Lao Beti Bachao, asking Hindus to bear 4-5 children and India for Hindus overshadowed Modi’s talks on development and good governance.

Lack of Control: Despite a series of communal antics, Modi didn’t utter a word against the offenders. Had he publicly condemned them, things would have been hugely different and it wouldn’t have reinstated BJP’s communal image.

Black Promises: In order to gain votes during the Lok Sabha elections last year, the party promised with a lot of heroism to bring back India’s black money stashed in foreign banks. But the black money bubble busted soon and how!

(To know the reasons for AAP’s success, click HERE.)

Curtailing Important Budgets: The Center curtailed India’s Education and Healthcare budget by 3000 + and 4000 crores respectively. On the other hand, they are happy to spend 4500 crore and 1000 crore on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Shivaji Maharaj statues and their crazy promotions. Are statues more important than proper healthcare and education?

Favors to Adani: BJP cleared 370 acre forest land to Adani Group to install and run a power plant. Development cannot take place by destroying nature.

Hiring Arvind’s Ex-Buddies: In order to gain the upper hand against AAP, BJP roped in Shazia Ilmi and Kiran Bedi, who were once with Kejriwal and have now turned against him. However, welcoming those who had openly lambasted BJP didn’t go down well with their own party members.

Questioning Funds: The BJP went down heavily on AAP for their funding for one of the donations despite it being made through proper cheque and bank records and being listed on their site. However, they are not ready to list down their own sources and are not ready to come under RTI for funds.

10 Lakh Suit: With slogans like Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas, Modi gave indications that he is the leader of the Common Man. But his suit worth as much as 10 lakh with his full name inscribed throughout indicated otherwise. On the other hand, when Kejriwal traveled business class just once and that too by not paying from his own pocket or party funds, the BJP made a hue and cry.

Bedi Blunder: The less said the better about Kiran Bedi and her unintentionally hilarious speeches. In fact, she managed to match Congress’ Rahul Gandhi on several occasions. Plus, running away from serious questions showed her lack of confidence to stand up on her decision.

Negative Campaign & Arrogance: Instead of bringing in some agenda for several problems Delhi is facing, the BJP only focused on badmouthing Kejriwal and AAP with a lot arrogance. Words like Naxal, Bhagoda and Dharnakarne Wale were frequently used. In fact, they even went on to the extent of personally attacking him for his cough, muffler and, worse, caste through their insulting cartoons, where they even went on to show Anna Hazare dead! The Shahi Imam controversy also hurt them badly.

Over-Desperate Promotions: BJP’s helplessness and desperation was seen from the fact that the entire party, including the PM, Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers from BJP run states and many MPs and several party-men left their tasks and teamed up in Delhi to fight against just one person – Kejriwal. This coupled with over-desperate bombarding of BJP advertisements made them look desperate for a win.