New Delhi: In a decisive outcome in the Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) by-elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the clear frontrunner, securing 7 out of 12 seats, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won 3 wards, the Congress opened its account with one victory, and the All India Forward Bloc claimed one seat.
Counting and security arrangements
Vote counting for the 12 wards began at 8 am on Wednesday across 10 designated counting centres in Delhi, with tight security in place. The bypolls were considered a significant test for the BJP, marking its first major electoral challenge since forming the Delhi government in February this year.
BJP’s key wins
BJP’s Suman Kumar Gupta defeated AAP’s Harsh Sharma in a closely fought contest by 1,182 votes. The party also retained the politically significant Shalimar Bagh B ward, with Anita Jain defeating AAP’s Babita Rana by a margin exceeding 10,000 votes. This ward became vacant after sitting councillor Rekha Gupta won the Assembly polls and became Delhi’s Chief Minister.
Other BJP victories include Dichaon Kalan, Greater Kailash, Ashok Vihar, and Dwarka-B wards. In Ashok Vihar, BJP’s Veena Asija narrowly defeated AAP’s Seema Goyal by 405 votes, while Manisha Rani secured Dwarka-B with a comfortable lead of 9,100 votes against AAP’s Raj Bala.
AAP and Congress performance
AAP captured Mundka, Dakshinpuri, and Naraina, the last one being a nail-biting win for Rajan Arora, who edged past BJP’s Chandrakanta Shivani by just 148 votes. Congress candidate Suresh Choudhary opened the party’s account by winning Sangam Vihar A, defeating BJP’s Subhajeet Gautam with 12,766 votes to 9,138.
The All India Forward Bloc also secured a win in Chandni Mahal, where Mohd Imran beat AAP’s Mudassar Usman by 4,692 votes.
Background and turnout
Of the 12 wards where polling took place on November 30, 9 were previously held by BJP and the remaining by AAP. Voter turnout in the bypolls stood at 38.51%, lower than the 50.47% recorded in the 2022 MCD elections for 250 wards.
Security measures and counting logistics
The State Election Commission of Delhi ensured stringent security protocols at counting centres in areas including Kanjhawala, Pitampura, Bharat Nagar, Civil Lines, Rouse Avenue, Dwarka, Najafgarh, Gole Market, Pushp Vihar, and Mandawali. Strong rooms holding the EVMs were monitored with 24/7 CCTV surveillance and guarded by paramilitary and Delhi Police personnel.
The results underline the BJP’s continuing dominance in civic politics in Delhi, while AAP and Congress have managed limited inroads, setting the stage for a competitive political scenario ahead of the next Assembly elections.
