Will the MCD By-Elections in 12 Wards Change the Political Landscape?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- By-elections are being held for 12 vacant wards in Delhi.
- The results will be announced on December 3.
- The elections serve as a referendum on the BJP-led government's performance.
- Both the BJP and AAP are actively campaigning for voter support.
- The BJP seeks to maintain its dominance in the MCD.
New Delhi, Nov 29 (NationPress) The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will conduct by-elections to appoint new councillors for 12 wards this upcoming Sunday. This election is characterized as a triangular contest, effectively acting as a referendum on the performance of the BJP-led Rekha Gupta government in the capital.
The outcomes will be revealed on December 3.
During the campaign leading to the by-elections, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) invested significant efforts to sway voters. Chief Minister Gupta spearheaded the BJP's campaign, while former CM and AAP leader Atishi rallied support for her party.
Senior officials from each party traversed the city, making appeals to garner support in this closely monitored civic election.
A total of 53 candidates are competing for these 12 seats. The BJP previously held nine out of the twelve vacant wards where the by-elections are taking place.
The last civic elections were conducted for 250 seats in December 2022. Following various shifts in party positions, the existing MCD House comprises 115 BJP councillors.
The BJP aims for a 12-0 victory in the upcoming by-elections to achieve an absolute majority of 125 in the 250-member civic House.
A strong performance by the BJP is anticipated to bolster Chief Minister Gupta's standing while providing a favorable public report card for her initiatives, including the e-bus, health, and insurance welfare schemes and arrangements for Chhath devotees.
The AAP views this contest as critical, currently holding 99 councillors and striving to regain influence after losing power to the BJP during the February Assembly elections.
The Congress is also making concerted efforts to secure a few wards in these by-elections, aiming to maintain its relevance in a city political scene largely dominated by the BJP and AAP.
These by-elections were prompted by the election of councillors from these wards to Parliament and the Delhi Assembly over the past year.
Eleven councillors, including CM Gupta, have been elected as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). The Dwarka-B ward has remained vacant since last year after the BJP's Kamaljeet Sehrawat was elected as a Member of Parliament from West Delhi.
The vacant wards include Mundka, Shalimar Bagh-B, Ashok Vihar, Chandni Chowk, Chandni Mahal, Dwarka B, Dichaon Kalan, Naraina, Sangam Vihar-A, Dakshin Puri (SC), Greater Kailash, and Vinod Nagar.
These wards are situated within key Assembly constituencies, including Mundka, Wazirpur, Matiala, Najafgarh, Rajender Nagar, Deoli, and Patparganj.