New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Shelly Oberoi was unanimously elected as Delhi Mayor on Wednesday, after BJP nominee Shikha Rai withdrew from the poll battle.
With this election, Oberoi has become the head of Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for second time.
While withdrawing her nomination, Shikha Rai told the house that she was pulling herself from the poll battle as the election to Standing Committee was not held.
AAP’s Deputy Mayor candidate Aaley Md Iqbal also won the elections unanimously as the BJP withdrew its candidate.
Shelly Oberoi, the new Delhi Mayor is a councilor from East Patel Nagar while her challenger from BJP Shikha Rai represents Greater Kailash ward.
Aam Aadmi Party’s Shelly Oberoi unanimously elected mayor of Delhi MCD after BJP candidate Shikha Rai withdraws her nomination.
BJP candidate for Deputy Mayor elections also withdraws her candidature pic.twitter.com/yx9la6zTbB
— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2023
The incumbent deputy mayor from AAP, Aaley Mohammad Iqbal represents Chandni Mahal while BJP’s Soni Pandey is a councilor from Sonia Vihar ward in East Delhi.
The election for Mayor & Deputy Mayor, which could have otherwise been a stormy affair, ended in clear & easy victory for AAP councilors as BJP candidates pulled out of electoral battle.
AAP government welcomed the election of its candidates as Mayor & Deputy Mayor of Delhi.
MCD Elections & defection law
The MCD elections for Mayor and Deputy Mayor are conducted by a secret ballot and anti-defection laws do come into play here, unlike Assemblies.
The electoral college comprises of 250 ward councilors along with 14 legislators & 10 MPs. AAP enjoyed a clear advantage in Mayor elections as it won majority in the House after December 4 civil body elections.
Interestingly, the Mayor post is not static for 5 years, rather it sees rotation of leaders occupying this chair. The first year is reserved for women, 2nd year for open category, 3rd year for reserved category & the rest 2 also sees representatives from open category.
