BJP’s Raja Iqbal Elected Delhi’s New Mayor as Party Returns to Power in MCD After Two Years
In a significant political development, Raja Iqbal of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was elected as the new Mayor of Delhi on Friday, marking the BJP’s return to power in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) after a gap of two years.
His election signals a resurgence for the saffron party at the municipal level, which had previously lost control to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the 2022 MCD elections.
Raja Iqbal secured a comfortable victory over his rival, Congress candidate Mandeep Singh, in a contest that was notably boycotted by the Aam Aadmi Party.
The AAP, which holds a majority in the MCD, chose to stay away from the election, citing alleged procedural irregularities and expressing dissatisfaction with the functioning of the civic body.
Before he was elected mayor, Raja Iqbal served as the Leader of the Opposition in the MCD and had previously held the prestigious post of Mayor of North Delhi Municipal Corporation, giving him significant administrative experience.
Expressing gratitude after his victory, Raja Iqbal said:
“I sincerely thank all those who supported me, and especially the people of Delhi who have always believed in our commitment to public service. I assure everyone that we will work tirelessly for the betterment and development of Delhi.
Our top priorities will be cleaning the streets and drains, ensuring smooth waste management, and addressing the persistent problem of waterlogging, particularly during the monsoon.”
Taking a swipe at the previous administration, he added:
“Unfortunately, no substantial development work was carried out in the MCD over the past two and a half years. Likewise, Delhi itself has witnessed stagnation in progress for nearly a decade. It is now time to change that. We are determined to bring back good governance and visible development.”
In another important outcome of the day, Jai Bhagwan Yadav was elected as the new Deputy Mayor of Delhi. Echoing similar sentiments, Yadav emphasized the need for swift action to improve civic amenities in the capital.
Speaking after his election, Jai Bhagwan Yadav said:
“With a triple-engine government in Delhi — the BJP at the Centre, in various civic bodies, and strong public support — we will ensure that Delhi is cleaner, greener, and better within the next three months. We are committed to revitalizing the capital’s infrastructure, enhancing sanitation, and speeding up developmental projects.”
The election results are being seen as a major morale booster for the BJP, especially ahead of upcoming civic projects and political battles. With Raja Iqbal at the helm, the BJP is expected to push hard on promises of cleanliness, efficient waste management, and a visible transformation of Delhi’s municipal landscape.
