New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) The BJP and the Indian National Congress on Thursday filed nominations for the posts of mayor and deputy mayor in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, while the Aam Aadmi Party for second year in a row stayed away from the contest for the top two positions.
Bharatiya Janata Party councillor Pravesh Wahi from Ward 53 (Rohini-East) — who is likely to win — filed his nomination for the mayor’s post, while Monika Pant, councillor from Ward 206 (Anand Vihar), was nominated for deputy mayor.
The electoral college for this year’s mayoral election comprises 273 votes, including 249 councillors, 14 MLAs nominated by the Delhi Assembly, seven Lok Sabha MPs, and three Rajya Sabha members. A candidate will need 137 votes to secure victory.
Currently, the BJP has 123 councillors in the 250-member municipal council which tips the favour towards the incumbent party. AAP has 100, the Indraprastha Vikas Party has 15, the Congress has nine, and two are independents, while one seat is vacant.
Going by current numbers, the BJP holds an edge with 141 votes, including 123 councillors, seven Lok Sabha MPs and 11 MLAs. The AAP has 106 votes, consisting of 100 councillors, three Rajya Sabha members and three MLAs.
On behalf of the Congress, councillor Zarif from Kabir Nagar Shahdara (Ward 234) filed his nomination for mayor, and Rajesh Kumar Gupta from Mubarikpur (Ward 39) for deputy mayor, officials said.
Sitting mayor Raja Iqbal Singh and Standing Committee chairperson Satya Sharma were present when BJP candidates submitted their nomination papers.
For the standing committee, BJP nominated councillor Jai Bhagwan Yadav from Ward 27 (Begumpur) and councillor Manish Chaddha from Ward 82 (Paharganj). AAP’s Jalaj Kumar, councillor from Shalimar Bagh-A (Ward 55), also filed nomination for a vacant seat on the panel.
The 18 standing committee members are elected through a mixed process: 6 members are elected directly by the councillors in the MCD House, while 12 members are elected by the 12 municipal zone ward committees. Councillors and designated aldermen (nominated members) participate in the voting process.
The elections for the posts of mayor and deputy mayor are scheduled to be held during the MCD House meeting on April 29.
Speaking after filing his nomination, Wahi said clearing garbage and improving civic infrastructure would be his priority.
“Freeing Delhi from mountains of garbage will be our top priority. We will work to make roads pothole-free and ensure parks are green and well-maintained,” he said.
He added that coordination with the Delhi government would be key to improving sanitation and overall civic conditions in the city.
Monika Pant, nominated for the post of deputy mayor, said her nomination reflects the party’s commitment towards women’s representation.
“For us, ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ is not merely a slogan, but a pledge to secure women’s rights,” she said, adding that her candidature is part of that commitment.
Meanwhile, the AAP announced that Ankush Narang has been reappointed as the Leader of the Opposition in the MCD.
“Heartfelt thanks to the national convener of the AAP, former chief minister, and my father-like figure, Arvind Kejriwal, who, by reposing faith in me, has entrusted me with the responsibility of Leader of Opposition in MCD for the second time,” Narang said. PTI VBH APL APL
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