After returning to power in Delhi and ending a political exile of 27 years, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) now holds control over the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Earlier this week, the BJP emerged victorious in the Mayor election, and with this win, the party has now established a Triple engine government in the national capital. BJP’s newly elected Mayor, Sardar Raja Iqbal Singh, stated in an interview with The Sunday Guardian (TSG) that within one month, the Standing Committee will be formed, and all the development projects and schemes that had been deliberately stalled by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will be executed swiftly.
Further speaking to TSG, Iqbal Singh reiterated that the “Triple engine government of BJP in Delhi will work for the upliftment and progress of Delhiites.” He emphasized that the BJP-led Municipal Corporation of Delhi is fully committed to offering improved civic services to the residents of the city. The Mayor further stated that constructive initiatives will be undertaken to address crucial areas such as cleanliness, primary education, and quality healthcare for all.
Highlighting his dedication to resolving long-pending civic challenges, the Mayor stressed that major attention will be paid to tackling the issue of legacy waste piled up at landfill sites. He pointed out that this long-ignored problem has had a negative impact on the environment and posed serious health risks to citizens, thereby reducing their quality of life. He also gave assurances that effective steps will be taken to solve the persistent issue of waterlogging, which has consistently troubled citizens during the monsoon season.
Acknowledging that urban development had slowed in recent times, the Mayor conveyed to the people of Delhi that this stagnation is about to end. He pledged to significantly speed up the pace of development work and ensured that all projects will be completed promptly, impartially, and efficiently. He reiterated that all efforts will be carried out with complete transparency and with the sole objective of public interest and welfare.
The Mayor further shared a vision of collaborative and united governance. He affirmed that the MCD will work in cohesion and full dedication to enhance the city’s infrastructure. This would include tasks such as upgrading the city’s roads, rejuvenating parks, and improving other essential civic amenities that fall under the domain of the Municipal Corporation. Stressing a result-oriented approach, he remarked, “We believe in action, and we will prove it through our work.” He also urged the citizens to participate actively, stating that their cooperation is essential for initiating long-term, impactful change in the city.
Earlier this week, the MCD conducted the Mayor elections during its general meeting, where BJP’s Sardar Raja Iqbal Singh was elected as the new Mayor of Delhi, while Jai Bhagwan Yadav, also from BJP, was elected as the Deputy Mayor. Raja Iqbal defeated Congress’ candidate, Mandeep Singh, by a margin of 125 votes. Of the total 142 votes cast in the election, one was declared invalid.
Raja Iqbal garnered 133 votes, whereas Congress candidate Mandeep Singh secured only 8 votes. Meanwhile, BJP’s Jai Bhagwan Yadav was elected unopposed as the Deputy Mayor after his opponent, Congress councillor Ms. Ariba Khan, withdrew her nomination. It is worth noting that the Aam Aadmi Party chose to boycott the elections for both Mayor and Deputy Mayor posts in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
On the other hand, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) strongly criticized what it referred to as the BJP’s “four-engine government,” stating that the party must now shift its focus to delivering actual results rather than making excuses. AAP Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj said that the people of Delhi will witness BJP’s true performance within a month. Bharadwaj pointed out that despite BJP’s political maneuvering, the party has only 117 out of the total 250 seats in the MCD—falling short of the 120 needed for a simple majority in a House of 238. He also mentioned that AAP chose not to participate in the elections for Mayor and Deputy Mayor in the best interest of Delhi’s citizens. Now that BJP has assumed full control of the MCD, he insisted, the party must immediately set up the Standing Committee and begin delivering tangible governance. He stressed that with the BJP holding power at the Centre, the Lieutenant Governor’s office, and the MCD, the party no longer has any justification for non-performance.