Delhi MCD Bypolls Set for November 30 in 12 Wards, Counting on December 3

The Delhi State Election Commission announced bypolls for 12 MCD wards on November 30, with vote counting on December 3, nominations open from November 3 to 10, scrutiny of papers on November 12, and final withdrawal deadline on November 15. Over 4.5 lakh voters across north, south, and west Delhi zones will decide the fate of 144 corporator seats in total, though only these 12 remain vacant after February's assembly polls triggered a chain of resignations from dual-role politicians.

Contested wards include Mundka (industrial belt), Shalimar Bagh-B (vacated by current Chief Minister Rekha Gupta before her CM elevation), Ashok Vihar (middle-class stronghold), Chandni Chowk (heritage-commercial mix), Chandni Mahal (old Delhi Muslim-majority), Dwarka-B (former BJP Lok Sabha MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat), Dichaon Kalan (rural-urban fringe), Naraina (central Delhi), Sangam Vihar-A (unauthorized colony hub), Dakshin Puri (resettlement area), Greater Kailash (upmarket south Delhi), and Vinod Nagar (east Delhi trans-Yamuna). Ten seats were lost when sitting AAP and BJP councillors won MLA positions, creating a rare mid-term shuffle in municipal power that could tilt control of key standing committees.

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva predicted a clean sweep, citing the "triple-engine" government's momentum in development, festival arrangements for Kanwar Yatra and Chhath Puja with 1,000+ temporary ghats, and pollution control via cloud-seeding artificial rain that brought AQI below 200 for three consecutive days. "People have seen real change in eight months—pothole-free roads, 24/7 water in JJ clusters, and zero garbage fires," he claimed, promising door-to-door campaigns starting November 1 with 5,000 volunteers and micro-manifestos for each ward.

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The bypolls test BJP's urban dominance post-assembly wins, with AAP yet to respond officially but internal sources indicating high command pressure to retain at least six seats to protect Mayor Shelly Oberoi’s majority in the 250-member house. Independent candidates and smaller parties like BSP may play spoiler in Sangam Vihar and Dakshin Puri, where caste equations favor non-BJP votes. Security will include 1,200 personnel, 300 CCTV cameras, and live webcasting at 45 sensitive booths identified after past EVM tampering complaints.

Campaign flashpoints already emerge. BJP highlights free pilgrimages for seniors and 50% property tax rebates, while AAP counters with promises of mohalla clinic expansion and ₹1,000 monthly women’s honorarium. Congress, absent from February polls, plans limited intervention in Chandni Mahal and Greater Kailash. Voter turnout in 2022 MCD polls was 50.5%; officials target 65% this time with 800 pink booths for women and shuttle services from resettlement colonies. Results will shape Delhi’s 2026 budget priorities, especially sanitation contracts worth ₹2,800 crore up for renewal in March.

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