**BJP Secures Mayor and Deputy Mayor Positions in Delhi MCD Elections**
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has successfully won the Mayor and Deputy Mayor elections of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) earlier today. In response, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has stated that it will be compelled to focus on delivering tangible results rather than engaging in “empty rhetoric.” AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj criticized the BJP, referring to it as a “four-engine government,” and asserted that the party’s excuses are no longer acceptable.
Bhardwaj highlighted that the MCD comprises 238 councillors, with a majority requiring 120 votes. He pointed out that despite various manipulations and political strategies, the BJP currently holds only 117 councillors in the 250-member assembly. “In the 2022 MCD elections, AAP won a majority with 134 seats, while the BJP secured only 104,” he noted, emphasizing the BJP’s attempts to seize power through backdoor tactics.
The anti-defection law does not apply to the MCD, leading to ongoing poaching of councillors from both parties. Currently, AAP holds 113 seats, while the BJP has 117 and Congress has eight. Bhardwaj accused the BJP of conducting irregular delimitation of wards to influence the election results, yet AAP still managed to achieve a significant victory.
He further alleged that the BJP attempted to manipulate the voting process by pressuring nominated aldermen during the Mayor’s election, despite a Supreme Court ruling that prohibits such actions. “The BJP is trying to intimidate and bribe AAP councillors to switch sides,” he claimed.
In a strategic move, AAP chose not to field candidates for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor elections, stating that this decision was made in the “interests of Delhi.” Bhardwaj urged the BJP to promptly establish a Standing Committee, asserting that with the BJP now controlling the Centre, the Lieutenant Governor’s office, and the MCD, Delhi is effectively under a “four-engine government.” He remarked, “Although the Lt Governor’s engine starts and stops erratically, the BJP has no reason to delay governance. The people of Delhi will now see whether they can deliver.”
**FAQ**
**Q: What was the outcome of the recent MCD elections?**
A: The BJP won the Mayor and Deputy Mayor positions, while AAP claimed a majority in the previous 2022 elections.