AAP's Delhi setback raises concerns over its National Party status
After 27 years, the BJP has regained power in Delhi, winning 48 out of 70 seats. What impact does AAP's significant defeat have on its national party status?
The Aam Aadmi Party's poor performance in the Delhi Assembly Elections has sparked worries about its future as a national party. The party secured only 22 seats, while the BJP emerged victorious with 48. Key figures, including Arvind Kejriwal and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, lost in their respective constituencies. (Image: News18 creative)
2/8
The Aam Aadmi Party was granted national party status in April 2023 after achieving nearly 13% of the vote share and winning five seats in the Gujarat Assembly elections that year. Currently, India recognizes six national parties- AAP, Congress, BJP, Bahujan Samaj Party, CPI (Marxist), and the National People’s Party (NPP). (Image: News18 creative)
3/8
According to election authorities, political parties in India are classified as National Party, State Party, or Registered Party. To be recognized as a national party, an organization must meet the following criteria- it must be acknowledged as a state party in at least four states, secure at least two percent of the seats in the Lok Sabha from a minimum of three different states, obtain at least six percent of the total votes in the most recent Lok Sabha or Assembly elections, and win at least four Lok Sabha seats. (Image: News18 creative)
4/8
Becoming a national party offers benefits like a reserved symbol, dedicated broadcast slots, and office spaces. National parties get two free electoral rolls during revisions and one per candidate in general elections. They can appoint up to 40 "star campaigners" and receive special broadcast slots on Doordarshan and All India Radio. Additional perks include a government bungalow for the national president and subsidized office space in New Delhi. (Image: News18 creative)
On September 30, 2023, the Election Commission granted AAP national party status due to its strong performances in Delhi, Goa, Punjab, and Gujarat. AAP's journey began with wins in Delhi in 2013 and 2015, expanding to Punjab in 2022 and securing 6.77% of the vote in Goa. By the end of 2022, it was recognized as a state party in three states. Its nearly 13% vote share in Gujarat led to national recognition in 2023. (Image: News18 creative)
6/8
In the 2024 Assembly elections, AAP secured a 0.52% vote share in Jammu and Kashmir, 1.79% in Haryana, and 0.17% in Odisha. In the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, the party achieved 43.6% of the vote share. Additionally, AAP holds three seats and a 1.11% vote share in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. (Image: News18 creative)
7/8
Despite AAP's recent setback in the Delhi Assembly Elections, the party still maintains its state party status in Goa, Delhi, Punjab, and Gujarat. AAP will retain its national party status since it secured 43.6% of the vote share and won 22 seats, which is more than the two MLAs required to preserve its state party recognition. (Image: News18 creative)
8/8
When the Election Commission granted AAP national party status in 2023, it also revoked the national party status of TMC, NCP, and CPI. This decision was based on the parties' performances in the assembly elections and the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, which did not meet the required criteria for national recognition. (Image: News18 creative)
![Becoming a national party offers benefits like a reserved symbol, dedicated broadcast slots, and office spaces. National parties get two free electoral rolls during revisions and one per candidate in general elections. They can appoint up to 40 "star campaigners" and receive special broadcast slots on Doordarshan and All India Radio. Additional perks include a government bungalow for the national president and subsidized office space in New Delhi. (Image: News18 creative)](https://images.moneycontrol.com/static-mcnews/2025/02/20250211125455_AAP-party-378x213.jpg "Becoming a national party offers benefits like a reserved symbol, dedicated broadcast slots, and office spaces. National parties get two free electoral rolls during revisions and one per candidate in general elections. They can appoint up to 40 "star campaigners" and receive special broadcast slots on Doordarshan and All India Radio. Additional perks include a government bungalow for the national president and subsidized office space in New Delhi. (Image: News18 creative)")
