Mayor takes charge: AAP's Mahesh Kumar Khichi triumphs in Polls, secures narrow win over BJP

New Delhi: In a closely fought contest, Mahesh Kumar Khichi of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) emerged victorious in the Delhi mayoral election held on Thursday. Khichi, a councillor from Karol Bagh's Dev Nagar ward, defeated Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Kishan Lal of Shakurpur ward by a narrow margin. The election, delayed for months due to a political deadlock, saw a total of 265 votes cast, of which two were declared invalid. Khichi secured 133 votes, just three more than his BJP rival.

A Short Tenure for the New Mayor

Mahesh Kumar Khichi’s term as Delhi mayor will conclude in April 2025, a notably short tenure dictated by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) rules. The mayoral elections are held annually on a rotational basis for a five-year cycle, with the third year reserved for candidates from the reserved category. Khichi, being a Dalit candidate, fits this criterion. However, his tenure is truncated due to the elections, originally scheduled for April 2024, being delayed amidst an ongoing AAP-BJP standoff.

Congress Walkout and Defection Drama

The election was not without its share of political intrigue. The Congress staged a dramatic walkout, protesting the short tenure of the incoming Dalit mayor. Of its eight councillors, one member, Sabila Begum, broke ranks, resigning from the party's primary membership to vote for AAP. This is not the first instance of defection for Begum, who previously switched allegiance to AAP in 2022 before rejoining Congress.

Despite losing the mayoral seat, the BJP remained a formidable opponent, underscoring its enduring presence in Delhi’s municipal politics. The close margin of victory highlights the competitive dynamics between AAP and BJP as both parties vie for dominance in the capital’s governance.

Significance of Khichi’s Victory

Khichi’s win signifies AAP’s continued consolidation after ending BJP’s 15-year control of the MCD in December 2022. His victory also reflects the party's strategy to represent marginalized communities and strengthen its grassroots appeal.