The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been significantly weakened by the defection of 15 of its councilors in the Delhi Municipal Corporation. Following the loss of the Mayor's post, the party's influence on the Standing Committee and ward committees has also diminished. The BJP's gains have further weakened AAP's claims to power.
Delhi News: The defection of 15 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councilors in the Delhi Municipal Corporation has severely weakened the party's position. Having already lost the Mayor and Deputy Mayor posts, AAP's grip on the Standing Committee and ward committees is steadily weakening. The party's claim to the chairmanship of the Standing Committee has been particularly affected, as the BJP is nearing a majority in several ward committees. The formation of a third front is also causing significant damage to the AAP.
AAP's Weakness and BJP's Rise
Of the 18 positions on the Standing Committee, 15 have been filled. AAP holds six seats, while the BJP holds nine. The prospects of two AAP members of the Standing Committee, who were to be elected from ward committees, have also weakened. Consequently, AAP may be relegated to the role of opposition in the corporation.
Out of the 12 ward committees in the Delhi Municipal Corporation, AAP is only in a position to elect chairpersons and deputy chairpersons in two. In the remaining ten, the BJP is either close to or has already achieved a majority. The role of councilors from the third front will be crucial here, as the side they support will determine which party gains prominence in the ward committees. However, it is believed that the defecting councilors will not currently support AAP.
A Major Setback for AAP from the Third Front
The formation of the third front is proving to be a challenge for AAP, particularly in the South, West, and Rohini zones. Several councilors from these three zones have joined the third front, threatening AAP's power. Only the Karol Bagh and City Sadar Paharganj zones remain as potential bholds for AAP.
The South zone has a total of 23 councilors, with six from the BJP and ten remaining with AAP. The Congress and some councilors from the third front are also present. In the previous election, five AAP councilors supported the BJP, giving the BJP an advantage. Similarly, the West zone has 25 councilors, including 11 from AAP, 8 from BJP, and 4 from the third front. With the support of the third front, the BJP could win here as well.
In the Rohini zone, there are 11 AAP councilors, 9 BJP councilors, 1 Congress councilor, and 1 councilor from the third front. If two councilors support the BJP, it could secure a majority here as well. Sources indicate that several councilors are already in contact with the BJP.
Mukesh Goyal: Leader of the Third Front
Mukesh Goyal, the president of the third front, is a five-time councilor. He was previously a Congress member before joining AAP. He contested the 2022 corporation elections on an AAP ticket but lost. He subsequently formed a new party and now leads the third front.
Many councilors in the third front previously had connections with the Congress, such as Usha Sharma and Hemchand Goyal.
