Raja Iqbal Singh of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been elected as the new Mayor of Delhi, marking the BJP’s return to power in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) after a two-year hiatus.
Singh secured a decisive victory with 133 votes out of 142, while Congress candidate Mandeep managed only eight votes. One vote was declared invalid.
The election saw the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) boycotting the process, alleging defections orchestrated by the BJP. The BJP’s strength in the MCD has grown to 117 councillors, up from 104 in 2022, while the AAP’s numbers have dwindled to 113 from 134. Congress remains a minor player with just eight councillors.
The electoral college for the mayoral election included 238 councillors, 10 Members of Parliament, and 14 Members of the Legislative Assembly. The BJP’s victory was further bolstered by the inclusion of 11 BJP MLAs as electoral college members.
This election underscores the shifting political dynamics in Delhi, with the BJP consolidating its position and the AAP facing challenges in maintaining its foothold.
