The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday ousted the BJP from power in the Delhi Municipal Corporation, giving it control over key civil society sectors in the city, including waste management, primary education and property tax collection. Prime Minister Arvind Kejriwal thanked the people for the AAP’s victory and asked for the cooperation of the BJP and parliament, as well as the center and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a “blessing” to improve public facilities.
The MCD has 250 districts, the AAP won 134, the BJP won 104, parliament 9 and others 3. Of his 134 seats won by the AAP, 77 were taken from his BJP. The spread of these 77 districts ranges from the suburbs and rural areas of Delhi to more affluent areas such as the Civil Lines, RK Puram and Hauz Khas. It also ranges from commercial areas such as Chandni Chowk and Sadar Bazar to residential areas such as Chittaranjan Park and Mayur Vihar. Meanwhile, his 14 of the 104 seats won by the BJP are so far under AAP control.
This was his first election since the MCD reformed earlier this year. A poll conducted on December 4 showed a voter turnout of just 50.48%. This was just slightly higher than his 73 million out of a total of 1.45 million eligible voters. The AAP was able to win significantly more votes compared to the 2017 MCD elections, but the BJP did so this time despite having fewer seats.
