How Did BJP Secure 7 Seats in MCD Bypolls While AAP Only Managed 3?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The BJP dominated with 7 seats in the MCD bypolls.
- The AAP secured 3 seats, indicating a challenging electoral landscape.
- The Congress finally won a seat, marking its presence.
- Significantly lower voter turnout at 38.51%.
- Security measures included 1,800 police personnel.
New Delhi, Dec 3 (NationPress) The outcome of the bypolls conducted in 12 wards of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) was revealed on Wednesday. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged victorious in seven seats, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) claimed three. Additionally, the Congress made its debut in the civic body by winning the Sangam Vihar-A seat.
Rekha Rani of the BJP achieved victory in Ward No. 128, Dichaon Kalan, and Sarla Chaudhary won in Ward No. 198, Vinod Nagar. Meanwhile, Veena Asija secured Ward No. 65, Ashok Vihar, and Suman Kumar Gupta triumphed in Ward No. 74, Chandni Chowk. Furthermore, Anita Jain of the BJP clinched Ward No. 56, Shalimar Bagh.
In the remaining seats, Anjum Mandal won from Greater Kailash, while Manisha Devi secured the Dwarka B seat for the BJP.
The AAP managed to win three seats, with Ram Swaroop Kanojia taking Dakshin Puri, Anil winning the Mundka seat, and Rajan Arora emerging victorious from Naraina.
Suresh Chaudhary of the Congress won from Sangam Vihar Ward 163A, and Mohammad Imran of the All India Forward Bloc achieved victory in Chandni Mahal.
Among the 12 wards where voting occurred on November 30, nine were previously held by the BJP, and the rest by the AAP. The voter turnout was recorded at 38.51%, lower than the 50.47% seen during the 2022 MCD elections across 250 wards.
Ten counting centres were set up at locations such as Kanjhawala, Pitampura, Bharat Nagar, Civil Lines, Rouse Avenue, Dwarka, Najafgarh, Gole Market, Pushp Vihar, and Mandawali. Each centre was responsible for counting votes for designated wards and featured secure strong rooms and controlled access points, as stated by the State Election Commission.
Prior to the bypolls, the MCD House consisted of 250 members, with 115 from the BJP, 99 from AAP, 15 from the Indraprastha Vikas Party, and 8 from the Congress. These bypolls represented the first significant electoral test for the BJP after its recent Assembly election win, while the AAP and Congress viewed this as an opportunity to bolster their influence in the national capital.
A total of 51 candidates, including 26 women, contested in the bypolls. The BJP nominated the highest number of women candidates at eight, followed by AAP with six and Congress with five.
Approximately 1,800 personnel from the Delhi Police and 10 paramilitary companies were deployed for the bypoll arrangements. Around 700 staff members were appointed for vote counting, with adequate facilities provided for candidates and their authorized agents, according to the Commission.