MCD Bypoll Results: BJP Leads, AAP Shows Revival Signs as Kejriwal Hails “Returning Trust”

Low voter turnout and a disputed result add complexity to Delhi’s 12-ward municipal by-elections

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the single-largest winner in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) by-elections on Thursday, securing seven out of 12 seats. However, the results also revealed shifting political undercurrents in the capital, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) gaining three wards and positioning the outcome as a sign of renewed public confidence.

The bypolls, held on November 30, marked the first major electoral test since the AAP lost control of the MCD earlier this year. Final results were announced today.

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Kejriwal Claims AAP’s “Comeback Moment”

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal congratulated party workers and framed the bypoll outcome as evidence of political recovery.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kejriwal said the voters had “made it clear” that support for AAP in Delhi “is steadily rising again.” He added that public trust was “returning rapidly” despite his party losing power only ten months ago. The AAP chief argued that Delhi was “moving back towards positive politics and good governance.”

AAP’s official social media handle also mocked the BJP for slipping from nine to seven seats compared to the last time these wards were contested.

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How the Parties Fared

According to the Delhi State Election Commission, the results were divided as follows:

• BJP: 7 seats

• AAP: 3 seats

  • Mundka, Dakshinpuri, Naraina

• Congress: 1 seat

  • Sangam Vihar

• All India Forward Bloc (AIFB): 1 seat

  • Chandni Mahal

The BJP’s victories included Shalimar Bagh B, Dichaon Kalan, Greater Kailash, Dwarka-B, Ashok Vihar, Vinod Nagar, and Chandni Chowk.

For the Congress, winning Sangam Vihar with a sizeable margin offered a rare moment of revival in the capital, where the party has struggled for nearly a decade.

The Left-backed AIFB securing Chandni Mahal added another layer to the fragmented outcome.

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Controversy Clouds Ashok Vihar Result

A dispute erupted over the outcome in Ashok Vihar, where AAP alleged irregularities in the vote-counting process.
Former AAP minister Saurabh Bharadwaj posted on X claiming that the Election Commission’s portal initially showed the AAP candidate as the winner, only for the result to flip in favour of the BJP after a recount.

“How can this be possible?” he wrote, demanding clarification from election officials. The Commission has not yet issued a detailed explanation.

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A Mixed Bag for Delhi’s Parties

Politically, the bypolls highlight a complex landscape:

• BJP maintains its numerical edge in the MCD with 122 corporators, keeping the mayoral position secure.

• AAP, with 102 corporators, sees the three-seat gain as a psychological boost but not enough to challenge BJP control.

• Congress demonstrates it still has pockets of influence.

• Left groups retain a niche but meaningful presence.

The figures underscore that while the BJP continues to dominate municipal politics, AAP’s organisational strength remains intact in several areas.

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Turnout Plunges to 38.5%

One of the most striking aspects of the bypoll was the abysmally low voter turnout, recorded at 38.5%, the lowest in recent memory for MCD elections. Analysts say such low participation often reflects voter fatigue, disillusionment with local governance, or a belief that bypolls seldom shift political equations.

Low turnout also complicates any attempt by political parties to claim a decisive mandate.

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What the Results Signal

The bypoll outcome does not dramatically alter the power structure in the MCD but hints at evolving voter sentiment:

• BJP retains an advantage but faces signs of erosion in certain wards.

• AAP appears to be regaining some lost ground, a narrative the party is eager to amplify ahead of the next major electoral cycle.

• Congress has managed to revive its presence, even if modestly.

• Voter apathy remains a dominant theme — arguably the biggest winner of the day.

With civic issues such as sanitation, pollution control, and local infrastructure dominating public discourse, the mixed verdict suggests Delhi’s electorate remains divided but alert to performance and governance quality.