New Delhi [India]: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday boycotted the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections for Mayor and Deputy Mayor, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of power grabs and urging it to now focus on delivering governance.
In a strongly worded statement, AAP Delhi State President Saurabh Bhardwaj said the BJP’s so-called “four-engine government”—with control over the Centre, Lieutenant Governor’s office, and now the MCD—must prove its worth.
“Their excuses won’t work anymore,” said Bhardwaj, warning that Delhiites would “see the BJP’s true face” within a month.
He further pointed out that despite all political maneuvering, the BJP currently holds only 117 councillors in the 250-member MCD. “Even in a House of 238, the majority mark is 120. They must show results now,” he posted on social media platform X.
Bhardwaj accused the BJP of manipulating the ward delimitation process to gain an advantage and of trying to misuse nominated Aldermen in the Mayor elections—an attempt struck down by the Supreme Court, which ruled Aldermen are not allowed to vote.
He also alleged the BJP has tried to bribe and intimidate AAP councillors to defect, calling it a “backdoor” attempt to gain control despite losing the actual MCD elections, where AAP won 134 seats to BJP’s 104.
Explaining the party’s decision to boycott the Mayor elections, Bhardwaj said, “In the interest of Delhi’s citizens, AAP decided not to contest the Mayor and Deputy Mayor posts. Now that BJP has both positions, they must form the Standing Committee and stop making excuses.”
He concluded by mocking the functioning of the LG’s office and challenging BJP:
“With the Centre, LG, and MCD in their pocket, they have no reason to delay governance. Let’s see if they can actually deliver.”