BJP dominates MCD bypolls with 7 wins

The BJP won seven of the 12 wards, while the AAP won three and the Congress secured one ward in the MCD bypolls, the results of which were announced on Wednesday.

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

The Congress snatched the Sangam Vihar A ward from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The bypolls were held on November 30.

The All India Forward Bloc, backed by local heavyweight Shoaib Iqbal, opened its account with a victory in Chandni Mahal, defeating the AAP candidate.

The civic body bypolls were a litmus test for the BJP, as these were its first big electoral battle after coming to power in the capital in February.

The BJP, which previously held nine of the 12 wards, could not retain the Mundka, Sangam Vihar A and Naraina wards. It, however, managed to wrest the prestigious Chandni Chowk ward back from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Interestingly, of the seven BJP winners, six were women.

According to the State Election Commission, the BJP secured a vote share of 45,09 per cent, while the AAP and the Congress managed to get a vote share of 34.97 per cent and 13.44 per cent respectively.

The results proved a mixed bag for the AAP, which previously held three of the 12 wards. It lost the minority-dominated Chandni Mahal and Chandni Chowk wards, while it defeated the BJP in Munka, Dakshinpuri and Naraina.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed gratitude to the voters after the bypoll results were announced.