The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is set to elect its new Mayor and Deputy Mayor on Thursday, November 14th, marking a significant moment in the city’s political landscape. The mayoral post is reserved for a candidate from the Dalit community, a decision that reflects the AAP’s commitment to inclusivity. However, the elected officials will only serve a truncated term of five months, a consequence of the prolonged political stalemate between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The delay in the election can be traced back to April, when the MCD rules mandated the annual mayoral elections. Typically, the elected officials serve a five-year term, divided into five single-year terms on a rotational basis. The first year is reserved for a female candidate, the second for the open category, the third for the reserved category, and the final two years again for the open category.
The political standoff that led to the delay in the election arose from the appointment of a presiding officer. The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, responsible for appointing the presiding officer, argued that the process required consultation with the Chief Minister. This process was further hampered by the then-Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, being in judicial custody, preventing the necessary approval.
Despite the political maneuvering, the election will proceed. The AAP, having secured a decisive victory in the MCD elections in December 2022, ending the BJP’s 15-year rule, has chosen Devnagar ward councillor Mahesh Khichi as its candidate for the mayoral position. Aman Vihar councillor Ravinder Bhardwaj has been nominated as the deputy mayoral candidate. The BJP, in response, has named Shakurpur councillor Kishan Lal as its mayoral candidate and Sadatpur councillor Nita Bisht as its deputy mayoral candidate.
The upcoming election is a testament to the complex political dynamics in Delhi. While the AAP emphasizes its dedication to the empowerment of the Dalit community, the BJP’s stance on the matter remains unclear. The outcome of the election will likely have significant implications for the future of the MCD, highlighting the power struggles between the two major political parties in the city. The truncated term may also present unique challenges for the elected officials, forcing them to navigate a compressed timeline and a delicate political environment.
