AAP’s Mahesh Kumar Khichi Elected Delhi’s New Mayor in MCD Polls, Defeats BJP Rival by Three Votes

New Delhi, November 14:

In a tightly contested election, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Mahesh Kumar Khichi has been elected as the new mayor of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), edging out his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opponent by just three votes. Khichi’s win brings a significant boost for the AAP in the national capital as it gears up for the 2025 Assembly elections.

Khichi, a Dalit leader supported by the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP, secured 133 votes in the mayoral poll, while BJP’s Kishan Lal received 130. Two votes were declared invalid, according to news agency PTI. The Congress party’s eight councillors refrained from participating in the election, having boycotted the voting process to protest the shortened mayoral term.

Expressing gratitude following his victory, Khichi said, “I thank the MPs, MLAs, councillors, everyone for making me win in this election.” He also reiterated his commitment to fulfilling AAP’s promises for Delhi, particularly with regard to sanitation and public welfare initiatives. AAP MP Sanjay Singh conveyed his congratulations, stating that Khichi would focus on implementing Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s vision for a cleaner and more sustainable Delhi.

The election marked a culmination of months of political tension between AAP and BJP, with the polls originally scheduled for April but delayed amidst a series of disputes. The Congress party, which has criticized the current structure of the mayoral term, opted to sit out the voting, calling for a full-term mayor instead of the shortened tenure on offer.

Meanwhile, the counting of votes for the deputy mayor position is currently underway.

AAP’s Win Brings Renewed Momentum Ahead of Assembly Polls

This victory is seen as a major endorsement of AAP’s governance in Delhi and a validation of its emphasis on urban issues, particularly sanitation and public health. With Khichi at the helm, AAP is expected to intensify its efforts to address civic concerns in the capital, an approach that party leaders hope will resonate with voters in the upcoming Assembly elections.

The outcome signals yet another chapter in the rivalry between AAP and BJP in Delhi’s civic and political landscape. For AAP, the MCD win is not only a victory in governance but a morale booster ahead of 2025, adding to its influence in the capital.