BJP's Sardar Raja Iqbal Singh Becomes Delhi's New Mayor
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Synopsis
Sardar Raja Iqbal Singh of the BJP has been elected as the new Mayor of Delhi with 133 votes in a municipal election featuring 262 eligible voters. This marks a significant political shift as the BJP regains control after two years of AAP leadership.
Key Takeaways
- Sardar Raja Iqbal Singh elected as Mayor of Delhi.
- BJP gained 133 votes in a 262-voter election.
- Reclaimed the Mayor position after AAP's two-year tenure.
- Jaibhagwan Yadav elected Deputy Mayor unopposed.
- Political dynamics in the Civic House have shifted significantly.
New Delhi, April 25 (NationPress) Sardar Raja Iqbal Singh from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been elected as the new Mayor of Delhi, securing 133 votes in the municipal election, which involved 262 eligible voters.
In addition to 238 councillors, a total of 10 MPs and 14 legislators participated in the voting process during Friday's election, bringing the total number of eligible voters to 262.
This victory allows the BJP to reclaim the title of the city’s First Citizen after a two-year period dominated by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva referred to this as a “Triple Engine” government in the national capital.
With this election, the BJP now holds significant influence in the Centre, the Delhi government, and the MCD.
During the Mayoral election, Singh faced off against Mandeep Singh from Congress, who received only eight votes. The AAP chose to boycott the election. Alongside the councillors, 10 MPs and 14 legislators were also eligible to vote.
The current strength of the MCD stands at 238, with 12 seats vacant due to some councillors being elected to the Delhi Assembly and one to the Lok Sabha.
Following the civic polls in 2022, the BJP held 104 wards, which has now increased to 117. The AAP’s representation has decreased from 134 to 113, while Congress retains only eight seats.
On the eve of the Mayoral elections in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, BJP leader Praveen Shankar Kapoor expressed confidence in the party's nominee securing the prestigious civic position.
For the Deputy Mayor’s role, Jaibhagwan Yadav from the BJP was elected unopposed as Congress’ Ariba Khan withdrew her candidacy.
The AAP, which opted not to participate by failing to nominate a candidate, has recognized its lack of competitive strength in the civic House, according to Kapoor.
He remarked that the AAP is facing fragmentation, as after two-and-a-half years of stagnant development, their councillors are looking to diverge from the party’s direction.
The voting results on Friday demonstrated a shift in the Civic House dynamics, where the AAP had previously held a majority in the last civic elections.
