AAP's Loss in Delhi Assembly Elections Paves Way for BJP to Challenge MCD Dominance
Click to start listening
Synopsis
After a significant defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections, AAP's control over the MCD is threatened as two councillors transition to legislative roles, creating opportunities for BJP to regain power.
Key Takeaways
- AAP faced a major defeat in the Assembly elections.
- BJP is positioned to challenge AAP's control in the MCD.
- Two AAP councillors have been elected as legislators.
- Defections have altered the political landscape.
- BJP could regain MCD control with potential bypolls.
New Delhi, Feb 8 (NationPress) Following the AAP's significant loss in the Delhi Assembly elections on Saturday, its hold over the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is poised to be challenged further by the BJP. This shift is underscored by the elevation of two AAP councillors to legislative positions, paving the way for the BJP to potentially reclaim control.
The diminished representation of the AAP in the MCD comes after the party faced issues like cross-voting, managing to secure the election of its candidate Mahesh Kumar Khichi as mayor with considerable effort in November 2024.
With the departure of Aaley Mohammed Iqbal and Mukesh Goyal, the two AAP councillors who have been elected as legislators, the dynamics within the civic body are expected to shift, leading to further instability.
In the 2022 civic elections, the AAP secured 134 wards, while the BJP obtained 104 wards and the Congress acquired nine. However, the composition has been in flux due to defections.
Over the past three years, the BJP has narrowed the gap, increasing its representation to 120 seats compared to AAP’s 122, with one seat currently vacant following BJP's Kamaljeet Sehrawat's election to West Delhi MP.
In the latest Assembly elections, several BJP councillors have also transitioned to legislative roles, including Neelam Pahalwan from Najafgarh and Gajendra Daral from Mundka.
“Should a bypoll be called or further defections occur, the BJP could regain power in the MCD,” noted a former BJP councillor who was elected as a legislator on Saturday.
In November 2024, Khichi, a Dalit candidate from the Arvind Kejriwal-led party, edged out the BJP’s Kishan Lal in a closely contested election by a mere three votes, receiving 133 votes while Lal garnered 130, with two votes deemed invalid. The eight Congress councillors abstained from voting.
The results of the Delhi Assembly elections announced on Saturday revealed a significant victory for the BJP after a 27-year hiatus.
In the 70-member Assembly, the BJP won 48 seats, reducing the AAP to just 22. The Congress has failed to secure any seats for the third consecutive election.
