The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has officially nominated Sardar Raja Iqbal Singh as its mayoral candidate for the upcoming Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections. The announcement marks a significant political development as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has decided to abstain from the mayoral polls, citing that the BJP should rule Delhi without making excuses. The elections for the MCD mayoral position are scheduled for April 25, with nominations already open.
BJP’s Candidate and AAP’s Withdrawal from Polls
Raja Iqbal Singh, a seasoned leader with significant experience in local governance, has been chosen by the BJP as their candidate for the mayor’s role. Currently serving as the Leader of the Opposition in the MCD, Singh has previously held key positions such as the Mayor of North MCD, Chairman of the Ward Committee in the Civil Line Zone, and Councillor of Mukherjee Nagar Ward 13. Singh’s candidacy is expected to bring a wealth of experience and leadership to the BJP’s efforts to regain control of the mayoral position.
On the other hand, the AAP, which currently holds the mayoral post, has decided not to field a candidate in this election. Saurabh Bharadwaj, the Delhi convenor of AAP, confirmed the party’s decision to abstain, stating that they would allow the BJP to elect its own mayor and form its own standing committee. Bharadwaj criticized the BJP’s approach, claiming that they should “rule Delhi without any excuses” and pointing to the involvement of Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor (LG), VK Saxena, as an additional factor influencing governance.
MCD Political Landscape and Upcoming Elections
The upcoming MCD elections come after a long period of political uncertainty, with AAP narrowly winning the mayoral election in November 2024 by just three votes. The MCD, which comprises three civic bodies—East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC), North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), and South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC)—was re-unified into a single entity in 2022. AAP, with an alliance with Congress, currently leads the MCD, holding 122 seats, which includes 8 Congress seats. The BJP, which holds 116 seats, remains the largest political party in the MCD.
As the mayoral election draws closer, the political rivalry between AAP and BJP intensifies, with both parties preparing for what promises to be a fiercely contested race.
