Delhi: AAP's Mahesh Kumar Khichi wins Mayoral race by narrow margin amid Congress protest

New Delhi: Amid the political drama, the Congress party staged a walkout, protesting the short tenure of the incoming Dalit mayor. Of the eight Congress councilors, one member, Sabila Begum, resigned from the party's primary membership to cast her vote for AAP.

Edited By: Bhaskar Chakravorty

Last Updated : 14 November 2024, 09:18 PM IST

Mahesh Kumar Khichi's tenure, however, will be limited to less than a year due to MCD's rotational mayoral system. (X/ANI)

New Delhi: In a fiercely contested election, Mahesh Kumar Khichi of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) emerged victorious in the Delhi mayoral polls, held on Thursday. Khichi, representing the Dev Nagar ward in Karol Bagh, defeated Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Kishan Lal from the Shakurpur ward. The election witnessed heightened political activity and drama, with Khichi securing 133 votes, only three more than his BJP rival, in a polling session where 265 votes were cast, two of which were declared invalid.

Narrow Win for AAP Amid Political Tensions

The AAP’s victory was significant, marking a continued stronghold after breaking the BJP’s 15-year reign in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections in December 2022. Mahesh Kumar Khichi's tenure, however, will be limited to less than a year due to MCD's rotational mayoral system.

Amid the political drama, the Congress party staged a walkout, protesting the short tenure of the incoming Dalit mayor. Of the eight Congress councillors, one member, Sabila Begum, resigned from the party's primary membership to cast her vote for AAP. Notably, Begum had previously defected to the AAP in 2022 before returning to the Congress.

Why Such a Short Tenure for the Mayor?

According to MCD regulations, the mayoral post is held on a rotational basis, with elections conducted annually for a five-year term. Each year, the position alternates among reserved and open categories:

The first year is reserved for women candidates.
The second year is open to all candidates.
The third year is designated for reserved category candidates.
The final two years are open to all.

As these are the third mayoral elections following the AAP's sweeping win in 2022, Khichi, a Dalit, was chosen for the reserved category post. His term will conclude in April 2025 due to the delay in holding this year’s elections, which were postponed from April because of prolonged disputes between the AAP and BJP.

Congress Walkout and AAP's Resilience

The Congress walkout highlighted their dissatisfaction with the rotational system, arguing that the short tenure undermines the significance of the mayoral position. Meanwhile, the AAP reaffirmed its commitment to equitable representation, showcasing Khichi’s win as a victory for inclusivity. As political tensions continue to dominate Delhi’s civic landscape, all eyes are now on how Khichi utilizes his brief tenure to address key issues and fulfill public expectations.

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Delhi: AAP's Mahesh Kumar Khichi wins Mayoral race by narrow margin amid Congress protest

New Delhi: Amid the political drama, the Congress party staged a walkout, protesting the short tenure of the incoming Dalit mayor. Of the eight Congress councilors, one member, Sabila Begum, resigned from the party's primary membership to cast her vote for AAP.