In a striking turn of events in the 2025 Delhi assembly elections, AAP's Amanatullah Khan managed to secure a noteworthy victory in the Okhla constituency. Khan clinched 31,711 votes, constituting 47.43% of the total, overcoming BJP's Manish Chaudhary by a substantial lead of 18,270 votes.
The Okhla constituency is notable for its diverse and predominantly Muslim population. During this election, it became the arena for a four-way contest, featuring not only AAP and BJP but also candidates from Congress and AIMIM. A key figure in this mixed landscape, AIMIM's Shifa Ur Rehman Khan, claimed the second spot with a commendable 18,181 votes, amounting to 27.19% of the total. Meanwhile, Congress representative Ariba Khan fell behind with only 6,410 votes, or 9.59%.
This election cycle saw an impressive voter turnout of 54.96%, highlighting the high stakes and strategic importance of Okhla within the broader scope of Delhi's political scene. Initially, BJP's Chaudhary garnered a lead of 2,260 votes in the early counting rounds, sparking excitement among his supporters. However, the tide turned as Khan took a commanding lead with a difference of 9,518 votes just midway through the count, eventually sealing his win with an even wider margin.
While Amanatullah Khan's victory is a significant achievement for AAP in Okhla, the broader picture in Delhi tells a different tale. The BJP managed to secure a majority in the assembly, detaching AAP's nearly two-decade-long control over the capital. This broader stride for BJP in Delhi was celebrated by the party's state chief, Virendra Sachdeva, who praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership skills as a key factor and promised a 'double-engine government' for the state.
The results in Okhla, combined with BJP's expanded influence across Delhi, indicate a shift in political paradigms, especially within the city's Muslim-dominated constituencies. The presence of AIMIM as a significant competitor introduced fresh dynamics, making the political landscape more competitive and unpredictable.
