BJP Wins Shalimar Bagh and Chandni Chowk as MCD Bypoll Results Roll In

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The results of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) bypolls for 12 wards are being announced today (3 December). Vote counting began at 8 a.m., and trends quickly started coming in. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gained an early edge and registered victories in two key wards—Chandni Chowk and Shalimar Bagh. This election was considered a prestige battle for Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and the win in her home turf of Shalimar Bagh has brought major relief to the party.

According to the latest updates, the BJP has secured both Shalimar Bagh and Chandni Chowk. Shalimar Bagh, known as the impregnable stronghold of CM Rekha Gupta, was the first seat where the party marked victory. BJP is also leading on four additional seats. On the other hand, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is putting up strong competition, with its candidates ahead on four seats. The Congress is also leading on one seat. Both BJP and AAP are closely watching the developments, as the results will influence the power balance within the MCD House.

The 12 wards where the bypolls were held are politically significant. Of these, nine were previously held by the BJP and three by AAP. The election is particularly crucial for the BJP, especially the Shalimar Bagh seat, which Rekha Gupta vacated before becoming Chief Minister. Similarly, the Dwarka-B seat fell vacant after BJP’s Kamaljeet Sehrawat was elected MP from West Delhi. In the 2022 civic polls, BJP had won 115 seats, and strong performance in these bypolls is essential for achieving a full majority in the House. This is considered CM Rekha Gupta’s first major political test.

Earlier, during voting on 30 November, a total of 51 candidates contested, including 26 women. According to the State Election Commission, voting took place across 580 booths in 143 polling stations. Although the turnout remained low, the election process was peaceful with no reports of any disturbances. The final results for all 12 seats—Greater Kailash, Ashok Vihar, Sangam Vihar-A, Chandni Mahal, Dichau Kalan, Naraina, Dakshin Puri, Mundka, Vinod Nagar and others—will determine whether the BJP emerges stronger in the MCD or whether AAP succeeds in expanding its influence.