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The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) ward committee elections, delayed for 19 months, were held on Tuesday, resulting in a tight contest between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). AAP emerged victorious in five zones, while BJP secured three. The elections witnessed a significant amount of cross voting, particularly in the Delhi South Zone, where a tie between AAP and BJP was resolved by a draw, resulting in an AAP victory.
AAP secured victories in two of the three zones—City SP, Karol Bagh, and West Zone—without opposition, as the BJP failed to submit the necessary nominations due to not meeting the required number of elected councillors. Additionally, AAP triumphed in the Rohini Zone with 14 votes. The BJP, on the other hand, won the Keshavpuram MCD Zone uncontested and achieved a majority in the Najafgarh Zone. The BJP also claimed all three seats in Shahdara north against AAP and Congress.
The elections for zonal-level ward committees involved the councillors voting to elect a chairman and deputy chairman for nine of the 12 zones. One member was also elected for the standing committee, MCD's highest decision-making body. Interestingly, elections in three zones—Karol Bagh, City SP, and Keshav Puram—were not held as neither the BJP nor AAP fielded candidates.
The elections were initially threatened by the Mayor, Shelly Oberoi's, refusal to appoint presiding officers. However, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena intervened by designating all MCD Zone Deputy Commissioners as presiding officers and ensuring the elections proceeded as scheduled. This ensured a smooth process despite the initial hurdle.
The cross voting in the Delhi South Zone, with 16 AAP councillors and 6 BJP councillors, created a 11-11 tie for the position of zonal chairman. The draw method was employed to resolve the deadlock, eventually leading to an AAP victory. This cross voting highlights the complex dynamics and potential for unexpected outcomes within the MCD elections.
The outcome of these elections will have significant ramifications for the governance of Delhi. The winning parties will play a crucial role in shaping the city's development and policies. The elections also serve as a barometer of public sentiment towards the ruling AAP and the opposition BJP, providing insights into their popularity and future prospects.