New Delhi: The race for the top positions in Delhi’s Municipal Corporation has gained momentum, with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress formally submitting nominations for the posts of mayor and deputy mayor. In contrast, the Aam Aadmi Party has opted to stay out of the contest for the second consecutive year, choosing not to field candidates for either position.
The BJP has nominated Pravesh Wahi, councillor from Rohini-East (Ward 53), for the mayor’s post. He is widely seen as the frontrunner given the party’s numerical advantage. For deputy mayor, the party has fielded Monika Pant, a councillor representing Anand Vihar (Ward 206). On the other hand, the Congress has put forward Zarif, councillor from Kabir Nagar Shahdara (Ward 234), for mayor, and Rajesh Kumar Gupta from Mubarikpur (Ward 39) for deputy mayor.
The electoral college for the mayoral election comprises 273 members, including 249 councillors, 14 MLAs nominated by the Delhi Assembly, seven Lok Sabha MPs, and three Rajya Sabha MPs. A candidate needs at least 137 votes to secure victory. With 123 councillors and additional support from MPs and MLAs, the BJP’s tally stands at around 141 votes, giving it a comfortable lead. In comparison, the AAP holds approximately 106 votes, while the remaining numbers are distributed among Congress, other parties, and independents.
Given this arithmetic, the BJP is strongly positioned to win the election. The AAP’s decision to abstain appears to reflect its lack of sufficient numbers, as participating without a realistic chance of success could lead to a symbolic loss.
The elections are scheduled to be held on April 29 during a meeting of the Municipal Corporation. At the same time, polls will also take place for the Standing Committee, a key decision-making body responsible for major financial and administrative matters. The committee has 18 members, selected through a mix of direct elections by councillors and indirect elections via ward committees.
After filing his nomination, Pravesh Wahi outlined his priorities for the city, particularly focusing on sanitation and infrastructure. He said, “Freeing Delhi from mountains of garbage will be our top priority. We will work to make roads pothole-free and ensure parks are green and well-maintained.” He also stressed the need for better coordination with the Delhi government to improve civic services and overall urban management.
Monika Pant, the BJP’s candidate for deputy mayor, highlighted the importance of women’s representation in governance. She said, “For us, ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ is not merely a slogan, but a pledge to secure women’s rights,” adding that her candidature reflects the party’s commitment to empowering women in leadership roles.
Meanwhile, the AAP announced that Ankush Narang has been reappointed as the Leader of the Opposition in the MCD. Expressing his gratitude, he said, “Heartfelt thanks to the national convener of the AAP, former chief minister, and my father-like figure, Arvind Kejriwal, who, by reposing faith in me, has entrusted me with the responsibility of Leader of Opposition in MCD for the second time.”
Overall, the upcoming elections underline the BJP’s clear numerical advantage in the municipal body, even as Delhi continues to experience a divided political structure across different levels of governance.
