New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strengthened its position in Delhi’s civic politics by winning 7 out of 12 seats in the recent MCD by-elections, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) secured 3 seats and Congress recorded its first victory in the polls. The All India Forward Bloc also won a seat, highlighting the multi-party contest.
High-stakes contest under tight security
Counting for the bypolls began at 8 am at 10 counting centres across Delhi, with paramilitary forces and police personnel deployed to ensure smooth proceedings. The elections were seen as a key indicator of voter sentiment, especially for the BJP, which formed the Delhi government earlier this year.
Ward-wise highlights
- BJP’s Suman Kumar Gupta defeated AAP’s Harsh Sharma by 1,182 votes.
- In the Shalimar Bagh B ward, Anita Jain won by a margin exceeding 10,000 votes against AAP’s Babita Rana. This ward had become vacant after former councillor Rekha Gupta won the Assembly elections.
- Ashok Vihar saw a narrow BJP win, with Veena Asija edging past AAP’s Seema Goyal by 405 votes.
- Dwarka-B went to BJP’s Manisha Rani, defeating AAP’s Raj Bala by 9,100 votes.
- Dichaon Kalan and Greater Kailash were also retained by BJP.
AAP’s victories came in Mundka, Dakshinpuri, and a close win in Naraina, where Rajan Arora beat BJP’s Chandrakanta Shivani by 148 votes. Congress’s Suresh Choudhary won Sangam Vihar A with a lead of 3,628 votes over BJP’s Subhajeet Gautam. The All India Forward Bloc candidate, Mohd Imran, captured Chandni Mahal, defeating AAP’s Mudassar Usman by 4,692 votes.
Voter turnout and previous political alignment
Of the 12 wards, 9 were earlier held by BJP and the remaining by AAP. The voter turnout for these by-elections was 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 implemented stringent security protocols, including 24/7 CCTV surveillance at strong rooms where EVMs were stored. Counting centres were set up in Kanjhawala, Pitampura, Bharat Nagar, Civil Lines, Rouse Avenue, Dwarka, Najafgarh, Gole Market, Pushp Vihar, and Mandawali.
The bypoll results reinforce BJP’s stronghold in Delhi’s civic landscape, while AAP and Congress continue to make incremental gains, reflecting an evolving political scenario as parties prepare for future assembly contests.
