BJP Government in Delhi? Eyes on Mayor Polls

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

After winning the Delhi Assembly elections, the BJP is now focused on the MCD mayoral elections.
A win in the mayoral race would establish a BJP-led “triple-engine” government in Delhi.
The BJP returned to power in Delhi after 27 years.
The MCD comprises a total of 250 elected councillors.
Following the Delhi election results, 12 councillor seats will be vacant in the MCD.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

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After securing a historic win in the recently-concluded Delhi Assembly elections, the BJP has now set its sights on the upcoming Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) mayoral elections, expected to take place in April this year. A win in the mayoral race would establish a BJP-led “triple-engine” government in the capital city, with the saffron party in control at the Centre, state, and municipal levels. Hopes for a BJP government in Delhi are rising.

With an impressive return to power in Delhi after 27 long years, the BJP is looking to strengthen its hold on the MCD. The dream of a BJP government in Delhi is now moving towards realization.

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The BJP is all set to form its government in Delhi after a hiatus of nearly three decades as it won 48 of the 70 seats in the Assembly polls, while the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won 22 seats and the Congress drew a blank for a third consecutive time. The influence of a BJP government in Delhi would increase.

WHAT IS THE MATH?
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi comprises a total of 250 elected councillors. Additionally, seven Delhi MPs, three Rajya Sabha MPs, and 14 MLAs also cast their votes in the mayoral election. The BJP’s strategy in the mayoral election will be crucial.

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Currently, the BJP has 120 councillors, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) holds 122 seats. However, following the Delhi Assembly elections, eight BJP councillors contested and won MLA seats, while three AAP councillors were also elected as MLAs. The possibility of a BJP government in Delhi has strengthened.

The BJP councillors who won assembly seats include Gajendra Drall from Mundka, Rekha Gupta from Shalimar Bagh, Poonam Sharma from Wazirpur, Neelam Pehalwan from Najafgarh, Umang Bajaj from Rajendra Nagar, Chandan Chaudhary from Sangam Vihar, Ravinder Singh Negi from Patparganj, and Shikha Rai from Greater Kailash. Moreover, BJP’s nominated councillor Rajkumar Bhatia also secured victory in the Assembly elections. Support for a BJP government in Delhi is growing.

However, nominated councillors are not eligible to vote in the mayoral elections and can only participate in zonal elections. Another significant gain for the BJP is the election of its former councillor Kamaljeet Sehrawat as an MP from West Delhi. This is an important achievement for a BJP government in Delhi.

ADVANTAGE BJP AHEAD?
With the Delhi election results, 12 councillor seats will now be vacant in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, necessitating by-elections, along with one nominated councillor’s appointment by the Lieutenant Governor (LG). Currently, the BJP’s strength stands at 112 councillors, while AAP has 119. This is a challenging situation for a BJP government in Delhi.

The last MCD mayoral election was held in November 2024, with a tenure of just five months. AAP’s Mahesh Khichi narrowly defeated BJP’s Kishan Lal by a margin of three votes. Out of the total 263 votes cast, Mahesh Khichi received 133 votes, while Kishan Lal secured 130 votes, with two votes declared invalid. The mayoral election is crucial for a BJP government in Delhi.

At that time, the BJP had 113 councillors, along with the support of one MLA and seven MPs, bringing its total voting strength to 121. On the other hand, AAP had 125 councillors, 13 MLAs, and three Rajya Sabha MPs, totalling 141 votes. Congress, with its eight councillors, had boycotted the election. The political landscape is shifting in favor of the BJP.

With the BJP now having 14 MLAs and seven MPs eligible to vote in the upcoming mayoral election, the party stands a strong chance of securing the Mayor’s seat in April. There is a high likelihood of a BJP government forming in Delhi. The party is strategizing for the upcoming polls.

Sources also informed India Today TV that after forming the government in Delhi, the party may introduce a no-confidence motion against the current AAP mayor. The BJP is determined to gain control of the MCD. The upcoming months will be decisive for the future of Delhi’s governance.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

Possibility of a BJP government forming in Delhi.
A win in the mayoral election would establish a BJP “triple-engine” government.
The MCD comprises a total of 250 elected councillors.
Following the Delhi election results, 12 councillor seats will be vacant.
The BJP has 14 MLAs and seven MPs eligible to vote in the upcoming mayoral election.