NEW DELHI: BJP leader Parvesh Verma on Sunday paid floral tributes at his father’s memorial, Dr Sahib Singh Verma Samadhi Sthal, in Mundka, saying his father’s life was an inspiration and that he would work to complete his “unfinished works.” He added that all BJP MLAs would work to beautify Delhi as per Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision.
Later in the day, Verma said that February 8 would be written in “golden letters” in Delhi’s history, asserting that the entire city was waiting for a “good government” to take charge. “This is Delhi’s victory, not just mine. The whole of Delhi was waiting for a good government to come. The BJP government under the leadership of PM Modi in the country is working for the country. In Delhi, on the same note, we will do all the work with honesty and utmost determination,” he said at a public gathering in his native village, Mundka.
The BJP stormed to power in Delhi’s assembly elections, securing a two-thirds majority, while the AAP suffered a major setback, losing key seats. The Congress failed to open its account for the third consecutive time.
Verma, who emerged as a giant-killer, defeated former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by over 4,000 votes in the New Delhi constituency, while Congress’ Sandeep Dikshit secured over 4,500 votes but finished third.
Addressing supporters, Verma credited outer Delhi for the BJP’s victory and drew parallels to the 1993 elections. “Yesterday, the entire Delhi, especially the areas of outer Delhi, made BJP win. This reminds us of 1993. February 8 will be written in golden letters in the history of Delhi,” he said.
Verma said that BJP legislators would dedicate 20-22 hours daily to working for Delhi’s development. “We have to do a lot of development, but we have lots of challenges too. Nobody looked after the development of Delhi Dehaat… A lot of things will be done in Delhi. Your (people’s) role was only till the elections; from here onwards, we—all the BJP MLAs—will work day and night with the blessings of PM Modi and will take all his schemes to Delhi,” he said.
Verma also received a rousing welcome in Mundka and offered prayers at Dada Bhairav Temple.
The BJP secured 48 seats, marking a historic return to power in Delhi after 27 years. Several AAP leaders, including Kejriwal, lost their strongholds, while Atishi managed to retain her seat.
The result came months after the BJP-led coalition swept the Maharashtra polls and won Haryana, further consolidating its national dominance. The Congress, once a dominant force in Delhi politics, continued its downward slide, failing to win a single seat in the assembly for the third straight time.
Counting of votes took place on Saturday morning, following polling on February 5.