Wrap-up: CM Arvind kejriwal loses plot in Delhi

The citizens of Delhi, who created a new phenomenon called Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over two years back, have discarded the party to vote in favour the BJP in the Delhi civic polls.

The AAP, which made a clean sweep in Assem-bly elections within a year of the BJP’s victory in national elections,  was made to bite dust nearly 240 seats, ending its party chief Arvind Kejriwal’s dream of having a bigger role in the national politics.

The results are being seen as a ringing endors-ement of Prime Mini-ster Narendra Modi's policies and a reflection of his unmatched popularity.

While the Congress has ended a poor third by wining just 30 seats, the defeat in Delhi civic polls could have a wide impact on the AAP and Mr Kejriwal’s fortunes as it came close on the heels of its abysmal performance in the Assem-bly polls in Goa, where it failed to open account, and poorer than expected show in Punjab.

The AAP, however, blamed manipulation of EVMs for defeat and called the BJP victory as an EVM wave. In an attempt to keep his flock together, Mr Kejriwal had reportedly made the newly-elected councillors of his party take an oath of allegiance.

Asking them to keep their phones on “recording mode”, the Delhi Chief Minister warned the AAP’s councillors against “betraying the party” by falling into the BJP’s ‘trap’ as no anti-defection law applies to civic body members.