Delhi election results 2025: AAP’s Satyendar Kumar Jain trails in Shakur Basti as BJP gains momentum

As the counting of votes for the Delhi Assembly elections 2025 progresses, early trends indicate a setback for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Shakur Basti constituency. Senior AAP leader and former Delhi minister Satyendar Kumar Jain is trailing against Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) candidate Karnail Singh. The Congress has fielded Satish Luthra, but the main contest remains between AAP and BJP.

AAP’s Satyendar Jain struggles in his stronghold

Satyendar Kumar Jain, a three-time MLA from Shakur Basti, has been a key figure in the AAP government. He served as a minister in the Arvind Kejriwal-led cabinet from 2015 to 2023, overseeing critical portfolios like health, home, power, and urban development. Before entering politics, Jain worked at the Central Public Works Department and later established his own architectural consultancy firm.

However, his political career took a hit when he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on May 31, 2022, in connection with a money laundering case. Despite the legal challenges, Jain remained a prominent face of AAP’s welfare initiatives, including mohalla clinics and free electricity schemes.

AAP vs BJP: A tough battle in Delhi

During the election campaign, Jain criticized the BJP, arguing that AAP’s welfare-driven policies were essential for national progress. He compared Delhi’s governance model to developed nations like Sweden and France, stating that free healthcare and education are investments rather than expenses.

“The BJP calls our policies ‘freebies,’ but Scandinavian countries have been following similar welfare models for decades. Should we call them failures too?” Jain remarked.

In contrast, the BJP’s Karnail Singh has focused his campaign on allegations of corruption within AAP and promised a governance model free from scandals. The exit polls had already hinted at a possible BJP victory in Delhi, marking a significant shift from AAP’s previous dominance in the state.

BJP’s candidate and AAP’s response

AAP leader Jain has also questioned BJP’s choice of candidate, alleging that Karnail Singh lacks local roots. “BJP has fielded a candidate who isn’t from Shakur Basti, isn’t from Delhi, and isn’t even from India. Their candidate is a migratory bird from America,” Jain alleged in a campaign rally.

Despite Jain’s strong presence in the constituency for over a decade, BJP’s aggressive campaign and allegations of corruption against AAP seem to be influencing voter sentiment.

AAP’s declining hold in Delhi?

In the 2015 Delhi elections, AAP secured a landslide victory by winning 67 out of 70 seats. In 2020, the party retained 62 seats. However, the 2025 exit polls and early results indicate a strong BJP comeback, potentially ending AAP’s dominance in the national capital.