BJP's Pravesh Wahi elected Delhi Mayor with 156 votes in landslide
Synopsis
With AAP absent and Congress reduced to nine votes, BJP's Pravesh Wahi swept the Delhi mayoral election on 29 April 2025 with 156 of 165 votes — a result that underscores the BJP's near-total dominance over Delhi's civic machinery after years of political turbulence at the MCD.
Key Takeaways
Pravesh Wahi of the BJP was elected Delhi Mayor on 29 April 2025 , winning 156 of 165 votes cast.
Congress candidate Mohammad Zarif received just 9 votes ; AAP boycotted the election entirely.
Monika Pant , councillor from Ward 206, Anand Vihar , was elected Deputy Mayor simultaneously.
Wahi has represented Ward 53-E, Rohini since the 2022 municipal elections and serves as Leader of the House in the MCD.
As per the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act , the Mayor's term is limited to one year ; the next full MCD elections are expected in 2027 .
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillor Pravesh Wahi was elected as the new Mayor of Delhi on Wednesday, 29 April 2025, securing a decisive 156 votes out of 165 cast in the mayoral poll at the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). His only challenger, Congress candidate Mohammad Zarif, managed just nine votes, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chose to boycott the contest entirely.
Key Developments
The election proceeded largely as anticipated, given the BJP's commanding majority in the 250-ward MCD. Alongside the mayoral poll, councillors also elected a new Deputy Mayor — Monika Pant, a councillor from Ward 206, Anand Vihar. On Monday, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta had nominated 14 legislators to the electoral college, comprising 11 BJP MLAs and three AAP MLAs. Members of Parliament, who also hold voting rights in the MCD, attended a pre-election strategy meeting addressed by Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva and Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra, with MPs Manoj Tiwari, Yogender Chandolia, and Kamaljeet Sehrawat among those present.
Who Is Pravesh Wahi
Wahi currently represents Ward 53-E in Rohini and had previously won the seat with a commanding margin in the 2022 municipal elections. He completed his Bachelor of Arts from Shivaji College, Delhi University, in 1984, and also serves as the Leader of the House in the MCD. His political journey began with the BJP Yuva Morcha in 2002, after which he rose through several organisational roles before entering electoral politics. He was first elected as a councillor in 2007 from Rohini, later from Naharpur, and served a second term between 2012 and 2017. He has previously held positions including Chairman of the Rohini Zonal Committee from 2010 to 2012 and Chairman of the Standing Committee in the erstwhile North Corporation between 2016 and 2017.
What the New Mayor Said
Expressing gratitude towards Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and other ministers of the Delhi government for nominating him, Wahi stated that the financial challenges of the MCD were no longer a major concern. He added that his priority would be on significantly improving sanitation services, with the Delhi government providing financial support to the civic body.
What Comes Next
As per the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, the term of the Mayor is limited to one year, meaning the post will be up for election again in 2026. The next full general elections for all 250 wards of the MCD are expected in 2027, as the current House carries a five-year tenure beginning from its first sitting in late 2022. With AAP's absence from the mayoral contest and Congress reduced to single digits, the BJP's grip on Delhi's civic administration appears firm heading into the next electoral cycle.
Point of View
Particularly on sanitation, which Wahi himself flagged as a priority. With a one-year mayoral term and full MCD elections looming in 2027, the civic body risks becoming a campaign platform rather than a governance institution. The financial stress Wahi referenced — and then quickly dismissed — deserves more scrutiny, not less.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new Mayor of Delhi?
Pravesh Wahi, a BJP councillor from Ward 53-E in Rohini, was elected Mayor of Delhi on 29 April 2025. He secured 156 of 165 votes cast in the mayoral poll at the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
Why did AAP not participate in the Delhi mayoral election?
The Aam Aadmi Party chose to boycott the mayoral contest, though three AAP MLAs were among the 14 legislators nominated to the electoral college by Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta. AAP did not field a candidate against Wahi.
Who was elected Deputy Mayor of Delhi?
Monika Pant, a councillor from Ward 206 in Anand Vihar, was elected Deputy Mayor of Delhi alongside the mayoral election on 29 April 2025.
How long is the Delhi Mayor's term?
As per the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, the term of the Mayor is limited to one year. The next full MCD general elections for all 250 wards are expected in 2027.
What are Pravesh Wahi's priorities as Delhi Mayor?
Wahi has stated that improving sanitation services significantly will be his primary focus, with the Delhi government providing financial support to the MCD. He also indicated that the civic body's financial challenges are no longer a major concern.
