The results of the 12 Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) by-elections have given the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a clear advantage, strengthening its position in the capital’s civic body and signalling shifting voter preferences across several neighbourhoods. The BJP won seven of the 12 seats that went to polls, consolidating its hold at a time when its overall vote share has also risen compared to previous local elections. With these wins, the party now holds 122 seats in the 250-member House, bringing it within touching distance of the majority mark of 126.
These bypolls were held in seats vacated by councillors who became MPs or MLAs after the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Nine of these wards were previously held by the BJP, and three by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), setting the stage for a competitive contest between the two main players in Delhi politics.
While the BJP managed to retain most of its strongholds, the party lost two key wards, namely, Naraina and Sangam Vihar A. The loss in Naraina was particularly close, with AAP winning by a narrow margin of just 148 votes, indicating a tightly fought contest. In Sangam Vihar A, Congress pulled off a rare victory, reclaiming a foothold in a ward it has been eyeing for revival. AAP secured three seats, but the results reflect a decline in its influence compared to its earlier sweep of MCD elections.
The bypolls also delivered an unexpected twist with the All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) winning the Chandni Mahal ward. Supported by a former AAP leader, this victory marks the party’s first entry into the current MCD cycle and highlights growing voter experimentation in central Delhi areas.
Some victories were decisive. In Shalimar Bagh B, the BJP registered the largest winning margin, crossing 10,000 votes, showcasing solid backing in the ward. On the other hand, AAP’s reduced performance suggests a loosening grip in areas it once dominated.
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