Khichi Wins Delhi Mayor by Thin Margin Amid Congress Boycott

New Delhi 14 November (VNI) AAP's Mahesh Khichi was elected as the new Mayor of Delhi on November 14, 2024, in a closely contested election marked by a narrow three-vote victory. Khichi, a Dalit candidate representing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) under Arvind Kejriwal's leadership, won the mayoral seat in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections by securing 133 votes against the 130 votes of BJP’s Kishan Lal, with two votes declared invalid. This slim margin underscored the intense competition between AAP and BJP.

The election was held amid a boycott by the Congress, whose eight councillors did not participate in the voting. Congress abstained, demanding a full-term tenure for the Mayor, rather than the shorter term currently in place. The mayoral polls, originally scheduled for April, had been delayed due to a prolonged standoff between AAP and BJP over various issues.

Following his win, Khichi expressed gratitude, saying, “I thank the MPs, MLAs, councillors, everyone for making me win in this election.” Celebrations at MCD House were attended by prominent AAP leaders, including party leader Sanjay Singh and Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi. Khichi’s victory is seen as a significant achievement for AAP, boosting the party’s position ahead of the Assembly elections due early next year. His election also stands as a strong symbol of Dalit representation in Delhi politics, adding further weight to AAP’s influence in the capital.