AAP loses majority in MCD as 3 councillors shift to BJP

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday lost its majority in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) house of councillors after three ward representatives switched over to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) the latest in a series of defections dating back to November 2024.

- Alok KN Mishra

Anita Basoya from the Andrews Ganj ward, along with Nikhil Chaprana (Hari Nagar) and Dharamvir (RK Puram) said they were joining the BJP inspired by the "leadership and vision of development of Prime Minister Narendra Modi".

The BJP said the move means the people in Delhi are now talking about a "triple-engine government" in Delhi- at the Centre, the state, and the corporation.

The development - barely a week after the BJP comprehensively defeated the AAP in the Delhi assembly polls - means the BJP has edged ahead in the MCD house with 116 councillors, up from 104 following the MCD polls in December 2022. The AAP's strength is down to 114, compared to the 134 earlier, while the Congress has another eight seats, losing one since 2022. The remaining 12 seats are vacant.