BJP's only term in Delhi: How onions led to the party's defeat in 1998

BJP is set to make its comeback to Delhi after 27 years. Here's a look back at their previous term in the national capital

Crossing the majority mark in the Delhi Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to make its comeback in the national capital after 27 years. The last time the party was in power was from 1993 to 1998. Despite leading the capital’s first elected government in 37 years, the BJP's tenure from 1993 to 1998 was marked by instability, internal conflicts, and economic mismanagement, culminating in a crushing defeat by the Congress in December 1998. 

 

In 1998, soaring onion prices (Rs 40-50 per kg) became a catalyst for widespread public anger, eventually leading to the end of the BJP's first - and for nearly three decades, only - term in Delhi. Despite dominating national and state politics in other parts of the country, the BJP had been unable to retain power in Delhi until now. As the party prepares to form the government, here's a look back at its previous term, which was marked by three chief ministers in five years, rising inflation, and leadership turmoil that led to its collapse.

 

1993-1998: Three chief ministers in five years

BJP won Delhi’s first Assembly elections in 1993, forming the government under Madan Lal Khurana, but within five years, the party cycled through three chief ministers — each facing controversies and internal battles.

 

1. Madan Lal Khurana (1993-1996) – Corruption and party infighting 

Despite being a popular leader, Khurana resigned in 1996 amid corruption allegations. The party refused to reinstate him, leading to internal unrest within BJP ranks.

 

2. Sahib Singh Verma (1996-1998) – Onion crisis, public backlash

 

Verma took over but struggled with economic instability, particularly the onion price crisis in 1998. With prices skyrocketing to Rs 40-50 per kg, the issue dominated public discourse and turned voters against BJP, as onions are a staple in every kitchen. The crisis crippled BJP’s image, making it synonymous with inflation and governance failure.

 

3. Sushma Swaraj (1998) – BJP’s last-ditch gamble fails 

In a desperate move, BJP replaced Verma with Sushma Swaraj, Delhi’s first female chief minister, just before elections were due. However, her 52-day tenure was too short to repair the party’s damaged reputation, and Congress swept the 1998 elections under Sheila Dikshit.

 

What was the 1998 onion crisis?

In January 1998, unseasonal rains impacted onion production, causing prices to rise from Rs 9-12 per kg the previous month to Rs 20-25 per kg. Exports were subsequently banned. Between March and July, exports resumed, but the rabi crop was affected by a heatwave, causing prices to climb even further, reaching Rs 28 by August. 

Despite these warnings, the central government, led by the BJP under then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee remained unresponsive. By September, the government took notice as unseasonal rains delayed the kharif harvest, too, prompting plans for imports as prices continued to surge. In October, with onion prices breaching the Rs 50 mark, the central government finally allowed imports under the Open General License (OGL), even as international prices rose in anticipation of increased demand from India. 

India is the second-largest onion-growing country in the world, with significant global demand for its onion crop. During the 2022-23 period, India exported 2.5 MMT of fresh onions, valued at Rs 4,522.79 crore, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

 

1998 elections: BJP’s collapse - Sheila Dikshit’s rise

The 1998 elections saw BJP’s seat count plummet, while the Congress, under Sheila Dikshit, swept to power. Dikshit remained chief minister for 15 years (1998-2013), focusing on infrastructure development, water supply, and public transport, which helped Congress retain Delhi for three consecutive terms. Delhi's much-vaunted metro network took shape and expanded under her watch. 

 

Surprising entry of AAP in political theatre

In 2013, a new political player disrupted the Congress-BJP rivalry: Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). After a brief first term, Kejriwal’s party returned in 2015 with a historic mandate, winning 67 out of 70 seats, reducing BJP to just three seats and wiping out Congress entirely. The trend continued in 2020, with AAP securing 62 seats and BJP struggling to make a dent despite its national popularity.

 

2025: BJP returns to Delhi

Now, BJP has crossed the majority mark in Delhi, setting the stage for its return to power. With Delhi elections wrapping up, all eyes are now on the saffron party and who they will appoint as the next chief minister of Delhi.