The 2025 Delhi Assembly election marked a historic turning point for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), as the party faced a decisive defeat, and its three key faces—Arvind Kejriwal, Atishi, and Manish Sisodia—saw their political fortunes take unexpected turns. For Kejriwal, the battle was never just about elections, but about his survival.

Arvind Kejriwal’s struggle for survival

For Arvind Kejriwal, the 2025 election was more than a typical political contest—it was a fight to reclaim relevance after a tumultuous year but Delhi decided against it. After resigning as Delhi’s chief minister and being released from jail, Kejriwal called the 2025 election his “biggest battle” yet, which ultimately ended in defeat.

It all began in 2012 when Kejriwal dared to dream of changing the system by launching the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). His victory in 2013, defeating the seasoned Congress Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, was a milestone in Indian politics. Despite a brief stint as Delhi’s CM, Kejriwal’s political resurrection in 2015 was nothing short of remarkable, winning a staggering 67 out of 70 seats. His triumph in 2020 with 62 seats cemented his place as a powerful force in Delhi politics.

However, the turning point came in March 2024, when Kejriwal, embroiled in the Delhi liquor policy case, was arrested for alleged corruption, becoming the first sitting chief minister to be jailed. While AAP described his arrest as part of a political conspiracy, the damage to Kejriwal’s image was undeniable. After six months in prison, he was granted bail by the Supreme Court. But instead of returning to power, Kejriwal chose to resign, passing the baton to AAP’s education minister, Atishi.

Atishi manages to hold back AAP’s key stronghold

Atishi, often seen as one of the most promising leaders in AAP, contested and won the Kalkaji seat in 2025—a seat that had been held by the party. Kalkaji, which had never been a BJP stronghold since 1993, saw a strong race between the three parties. Her win came as a relief to AAP after the defeat of both the former Chief Minister and the former Deputy Chief Minister.

Manish Sisodia’s loss

Manish Sisodia, AAP’s former Deputy Chief Minister, had his own difficult journey in the 2025 elections. Sisodia had been a key figure in the Delhi government, especially in the education sector. He was a three-time winner from the Patparganj constituency in 2013, 2015, and 2020. However, in the 2025 election, Sisodia shifted his focus to Jangpura, a seat with new challenges, and lost.

Sisodia’s political journey, though, has been marred by legal battles. He was arrested in connection with the Delhi excise policy case in 2023, spending over 17 months in jail before being granted bail by the Supreme Court. Sisodia, who had previously been seen as one of AAP’s most effective ministers, spent much of 2023 and 2024 embroiled in legal and political turmoil. Despite these challenges, his eventual loss in Jangpura suggests that he still retains some voter support.