“BJP became the single largest party in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi with three AAP councillors switching their allegiance to the party on Saturday. BJP, which is also in office at the Centre, had won the assembly polls on February 8, securing 48 seats while AAP won 22 in the 70-member House. In MCD, following the crossing over of three councillors, BJP’s strength has risen to 116 while AAP has 114 seats and Congress eight in the 250-member body. MCD now has 12 vacancies, including that of Kamaljeet Sehrawat, who was elected an MP. Leader of Opposition and former mayor Sardar Raja Iqbal Singh demanded the resignation of mayor Mahesh Kumar on ethical grounds. He stated that AAP which has lost public support, has now also lost the trust of the Municipal House. The mayoral elections are scheduled annually during the first meeting of the civic body’s new session in April with no reservation criteria applicable for the post this year. The election for the deputy mayor’s position will be conducted at the same meeting and will be open to all general candidates.”
