Amit Shah’s Strategic Leadership: BJP’s Key to Victory in Delhi Elections
New Delhi: The Delhi Assembly elections presented a unique challenge for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), especially given its absence from power in the city since 1998.
A major hurdle for the BJP was the absence of a strong local face, which could have undermined the party’s appeal. However, this turned out to be a boon in disguise.
Home minister Amit Shah, whose election management and organizational skills, were recognized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when the two were starting out their respective political career in Gujarat, shifted the focus from local leaders to a broader, more powerful national narrative, positioning the election as a contest for Delhi’s future, where voters weren’t just choosing local representatives—they were voting for Modi, Shah, and the central BJP. This strategy allowed the BJP to nationalize the campaign and gain broader support.
Shah also took charge of candidate selection- a challenge fraught with risk due to the multiple levels of push and pull the ticket seekers exert- ensuring that the right candidates were chosen for key constituencies. This decision helped solidify party unity and allowed the BJP to present itself as a well-prepared and organized contender, despite its long absence from power in Delhi.
Shah- the number two in party’ hierarchy- himself led the party’s campaign to drive home the point that if BJP come to power, the governance will improve significantly in Delhi.
His campaign began on 25 January and continued until 3 February , with him addressing two to three rallies daily across the city. He held more than 14 public rallies in key constituencies such as Jangpura, Bijwasan, Dwarka, Karawal Nagar, and Rajouri Garden, emphasizing the need for Central Government support in Delhi’s development. He kept his speech focused on the fact that only the leadership of Modi could bring the change the city required.
On 2 February Shah held a crucial meeting with representatives from 360 villages in Delhi Dehat (rural), where he addressed the concerns of rural Delhi voters. This engagement underscored the BJP’s commitment to rural Delhi and was described as an important moment in the campaign as representatives of 36 castes were present in the said meeting.
In addition to rallies, Shah conducted 3 road shows in areas like Rohtas Nagar, Wazirpur, and Badarpur, engaging directly with voters and energizing the party base. These events were crucial in mobilizing support in areas where the BJP needed to strengthen its hold.
Shah, as it has become his hallmark, ensured that the election feedback system was carefully managed, using detailed data and real-time insights to adjust the campaign’s focus. The micromanagement of the election campaign that he is known for was executed in Delhi to the hilt
Harsh Malhotra, Delhi MP and Minister of State, played a key role in providing the necessary data to refine the party’s strategy. In addition, Baijayant Jay Panda, as the party’s election in-charge, played a crucial role in campaign management. Panda helped coordinate strategies on the ground, working alongside Malhotra to ensure smooth operations and maximum outreach, further strengthening the BJP’s position.
Interestingly, when the polls ended, the Congress’s internal assessment predicted 22 seats for AAP, while the BJP’s had predicted 45-50 seats for itself. AAP’s post poll analysis stated that it would be limited to 30 seats.
Assessment of both the Congress and the BJP proved accurate, as AAP secured 22 seats and the BJP won 48 seats, very close to its own assessment.