AAP's Surprise Move in Delhi Mayor Election: No Candidate to be Nominated; BJP's Victory Appears Certain. Political Upheaval Ensues.
Delhi Election 2025: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has made a surprising and significant decision regarding the Delhi mayoral election. The party officially announced it will not field any candidate in this election. Following this announcement, the BJP mayoral candidate's unopposed victory is now considered almost certain. This AAP decision has sparked a new debate in Delhi's politics, and a BJP "triple-engine government" in the capital seems increasingly likely.
Last Day for Mayoral Nominations Today
Monday marks the final day for filing nominations for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor elections of the Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD). With AAP's withdrawal, a BJP candidate's victory is anticipated. The BJP already holds a majority in the MCD, and with no opposition, their candidate will be easily elected.
How is the Delhi Mayor Elected?
The process for electing the Delhi Municipal Corporation Mayor is clearly defined. First, the date and time of the mayoral election are set. Then, with the approval of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG), a presiding officer is appointed to conduct the election on the designated date. Once the Mayor is elected, the presiding officer relinquishes their position to the newly elected Mayor, who then oversees the election of the Deputy Mayor and a member of the Standing Committee.
Who Votes?
Not only councilors but also nominated legislators, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha members participate in the mayoral election. A total of 262 members are eligible to vote. Currently, the BJP has 135 members, including 117 councilors, 11 MLAs, and 7 Lok Sabha MPs. AAP has 119 members, comprising 113 councilors, 3 Rajya Sabha members, and 3 MLAs. The Congress has only 8 members.
Political Signals and AAP's Strategy
AAP's decision is being interpreted as a political strategy. The party likely perceived a low probability of victory and, by withdrawing, allowed the BJP a clear sweep. With a BJP Mayor now virtually certain, Delhi will have a "triple-engine government"—BJP control at the central, LG, and MCD levels—which could significantly impact upcoming elections.
