BJP Announces Candidates for Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) Mayor and Deputy Mayor
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its candidates for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor positions in the Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD). Raja Iqbal Singh has been nominated for the Mayor position, and Jai Bhagwan Yadav for the Deputy Mayor.
Delhi Mayor Election 2025: On the last day of nominations for the Delhi Mayor Election 2025, the BJP revealed its candidates. Raja Iqbal Singh will contest for Mayor, and Jai Bhagwan Yadav for Deputy Mayor. Raja Iqbal Singh is currently the Leader of the Opposition in the MCD and has previously served as the North Delhi Mayor. He is considered a seasoned and grassroots leader.
Raja Iqbal's victory as Mayor is widely anticipated, given the BJP's apparent numerical advantage.
Raja Iqbal Carrying Forward His Father-in-Law's Political Legacy
Raja Iqbal Singh entered politics in 2017 after returning to India from the United States, where he was involved in business. He has been elected as a councilor twice. In 2021, he became the North Delhi Mayor, and the BJP has now entrusted him with this responsibility again. Significantly, he is continuing the political legacy of his father-in-law, whose family has served as councilors from this ward three times.
Known as the "Bulldozer Man"
Raja Iqbal Singh is popularly known as the "Bulldozer Man." Following stone-pelting incidents during a Ram Navami procession in 2021, he arrived on the scene with the municipal team and demolished several illegal constructions. This swift action solidified his image as a b leader.
Jai Bhagwan Yadav Nominated for Deputy Mayor
Jai Bhagwan Yadav, a former teacher, has been nominated by the BJP for the Deputy Mayor position. He was previously a leader among teachers and entered politics at the behest of former Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma. His wife has served as a councilor, and he himself is currently serving his second term as a councilor.
Opposition Parties' Strategy
The Congress party has yet to announce its candidates, but announcements are expected soon. Sources suggest a possible unofficial alliance between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Fearing vote-buying, the AAP has reportedly refrained from fielding a mayoral candidate this time. The Congress is also proceeding cautiously with its MCD strategy.
AAP's Accusations
AAP's Delhi president, Saurabh Bharadwaj, accused the BJP of employing tactics to seize power since the MCD elections were announced. These tactics, he claimed, include delaying elections, redrawing ward boundaries, and using government machinery to influence the mayoral election.
He stated, “With the central government, LG, and Delhi government under BJP's control, they should now set an example of good governance.”
