Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Nov 30: By-elections for 12 key wards of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will be held on Sunday in what is being widely viewed as a virtual referendum on the performance of the BJP-led Rekha Gupta government. The counting of votes will take place on December 3.
The high-voltage campaign saw both the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) go all out to woo voters. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta led the BJP’s push, while former CM and senior AAP leader Atishi spearheaded her party’s campaign. Senior leaders from both sides canvassed extensively across the city, seeking to consolidate support ahead of the crucial civic battle.
A total of 53 candidates are contesting the 12 seats, nine of which were previously held by the BJP. The last civic polls in December 2022 were held for 250 seats, and after subsequent changes, the current MCD House has 115 BJP councillors.
The BJP is targeting a clean sweep across all 12 wards to touch the 125-seat absolute majority mark in the 250-member corporation. A strong outcome is expected to bolster CM Gupta’s political standing and act as a positive assessment of her government’s initiatives, including e-bus expansion, healthcare improvements, insurance schemes, and arrangements for Chhath Puja.
For the AAP, which currently holds 99 seats, the by-elections are crucial to regain lost political ground after losing power in the February Assembly elections. The Congress is also eyeing a revival and hopes to secure a few wins to remain relevant in the city’s political landscape dominated by the BJP and AAP.
The by-polls were necessitated after several councillors were elected to Parliament and the Delhi Assembly over the past year. Eleven of them, including CM Gupta, moved to the Assembly. The Dwarka-B seat has been vacant since BJP leader Kamaljeet Sehrawat’s election to Parliament from West Delhi.
The wards going to polls today 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 fall under prominent Assembly constituencies such as Mundka, Wazirpur, Matiala, Najafgarh, Rajender Nagar, Deoli and Patparganj.