AAP Withdraws from Delhi Mayoral Race, BJP Set to Take Full Control of MCD

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday announced its decision to withdraw from the upcoming mayoral election, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was coercing AAP councillors to defect. The move effectively paves the way for the BJP to seize control of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), consolidating power across all major arms of the Capital’s governance.

“The BJP now holds a majority in the MCD. We refuse to participate in a process tainted by horse-trading,” said senior AAP leader and former Delhi minister Atishi. “Let them form the MCD government and prove what their so-called triple-engine administration can deliver.”

The BJP, rejecting the allegations, fielded former North Delhi mayor Raja Iqbal Singh as its mayoral candidate for the April 25 poll, with Jai Bhagwan Yadav standing for deputy mayor.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said AAP’s retreat reflected its diminishing public support. “People across Delhi are disillusioned with AAP. Their exit only confirms their awareness of that reality,” she remarked.

AAP’s exit marks the party’s complete loss of influence over Delhi’s key governance structures. While it once held sway over both the Delhi Secretariat and Civic Centre, the BJP now controls the Centre, the state government, and is poised to lead the MCD—a combination it terms a “triple-engine government” aimed at streamlining development in the Capital.

AAP’s electoral prospects were already dim. The BJP’s strength in the MCD has grown from 104 councillors in 2022 to 117. This edge was bolstered by Delhi assembly speaker Vijender Gupta’s nomination of 11 BJP MLAs as ex-officio MCD members.

The MCD—a body with an annual budget exceeding ₹17,000 crore and a workforce of nearly 1.5 lakh—plays a critical role in Delhi’s civic life, from sanitation and primary healthcare to education and maintenance of public infrastructure.

The mayor is elected by an electoral college of 250 MCD councillors, seven Lok Sabha MPs, three Rajya Sabha MPs, and 14 MLAs nominated by the assembly speaker.

In the 2022 civic polls, AAP secured 134 seats, compared to BJP’s 104. However, its tenure was marred by administrative paralysis, legal disputes, and repeated clashes between AAP mayors and the municipal commissioner, who reports to the Lieutenant Governor. Over 30 House meetings were disrupted, and key committees—including the all-important standing committee—were never constituted, stalling major policy decisions.

The last mayoral election in November 2024 was narrowly won by AAP’s Mahesh Khinchi by just three votes. Since then, a wave of defections has shifted the balance in BJP’s favor.

Of the 274-member electoral college, BJP now appears to command support from 135 members, while AAP’s strength has fallen to 119. Twelve seats are currently vacant due to councillors moving on to MLA or MP roles.

Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bhardwaj criticized the BJP for engineering defections and dared the party to now deliver on its promises. “They have their mayor, standing committee, and full control. Let them now run their four-engine government and stop blaming others,” he said.

Despite AAP’s withdrawal, the Civic Centre remained active on Monday. BJP candidates filed nominations accompanied by three party MPs. Singh, the BJP’s mayoral nominee, called the development a “victory for Delhi’s people,” promising to prioritize cleanliness, primary health, and education.

Later in the day, the Congress party also entered the fray, nominating Mandeep Singh for mayor and Ariba Khan for deputy mayor. Singh represents Nangloi (Ward 47), while Khan is councillor for Abul Fazal Enclave (Ward 188).

In an official statement, the MCD confirmed AAP did not nominate candidates for either post.

A senior AAP leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, cited fears of mass cross-voting as a factor behind the decision to pull out. “We’ve already seen BJP benefit from cross-voting while AAP was in power. The situation has worsened. Had our numbers fallen below 100, it would have been a major embarrassment,” the leader admitted.