On April 25, the election for Delhi's new Mayor will be held. Today marks the last day for nominations for the Mayor election, and as of now, no party's candidate has filed nominations. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced it will not contest the Mayor election. The party has decided to distance itself from the mayoral race.
Former Chief Minister Atishi and former Delhi government minister Saurabh Bhardwaj announced this decision at a press conference on Monday. Saurabh Bhardwaj mentioned that BJP is trying to lure AAP councilors by intimidating, threatening, and enticing them. He stated that AAP has decided not to field a candidate for the Mayor's election.
Saurabh Bhardwaj expressed that without any hurdles, BJP can elect their Mayor and run the four-engine government without excuses, showing this to Delhi residents. With this decision by AAP, the path for BJP's candidate to be elected uncontested as the Mayor of Delhi is now clear. After forming the government in Delhi, BJP will also have the Mayor in the MCD.
Read More: Demand for removal of MCD Commissioner Ashwini Kumar, Delhi's Mayor writes to Amit Shah
Just a few months ago, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the Delhi Assembly elections. Under the leadership of Rekha Gupta, BJP formed the government in Delhi. Now, the way for BJP's return to power in the MCD is clear. AAP had emerged as the largest party in the MCD elections. However, after the recent Assembly election victory, the numbers game has shifted in favor of BJP.
Read More: Will BJP also end AAP's reign in MCD? Nomination deadline for Mayor-Deputy Mayor elections
Favorable Equations for BJP
AAP has given a walkover to BJP in the Mayor election. However, even if voting had taken place, the equations were still in BJP's favor. The current strength of Delhi's municipal house is 238. If you add the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs and nominated MLAs, the total strength reaches 262. Thus, political parties need 132 votes to create their Mayor. With BJP having 117 councilors, seven Lok Sabha members, and 11 nominated MLAs, the total comes to 135, exceeding the required number for victory by three.
