Day before crucial MCD polls, three AAP councillors jump ship to BJP

The vacancy in the 18-member Standing Committee — the highest decision-making body of the MCD — was created by the resignation of BJP councillor Kamaljeet Sehrawat after her election from the West Delhi Lok Sabha seat earlier this year.

The committee is the MCD’s key decision-making body, overseeing the civic body’s finances. No proposal exceeding Rs 5 crore can proceed without its approval. If the BJP secures a majority in the Standing Committee on Thursday, it could create a scenario where AAP leads the MCD, but the BJP controls its finances.

Speaking to mediapersons, Sachdeva said the decision of the leaders to leave AAP stemmed from disappointment over “unfulfilled promises” and “increasing corruption” within the party. Taking on AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Atishi, he added, “If Kejriwal is so keen to become Shri Ram, he should first stay away from the political chair for 14 years.”

Preeti, meanwhile, accused Atishi of allegedly instigating councillors to beat up BJP members during the mayoral polls. “If Atishi has become the chief minister, this isn’t proof of her being educated but rather a result of her being a puppet,” she alleged.

This is not the first wave of defections from AAP — while two party councillors had joined the BJP before the Lok Sabha polls, five more had defected to the BJP on August 26. The BJP has also nominated a former AAP councillor to contest the election for the final Standing Committee seat.

Leader of Opposition in the MCD, Raja Iqbal Singh, said, “The MCD at present has an effective strength of 249 members. AAP has only 124 councillors while the majority mark is 125… it has clearly lost majority.”

Meanwhile, taking to X, AAP Malviya Nagar MLA Somnath Bharti expressed concern over the switch, particularly by Phogat. He claimed that while joining the party at the BJP headquarters, Phogat “didn’t even speak a word and hence I am worried about her”.

He added that Phogat is in a vulnerable state, as she is unwell.“Since her house is locked, phones are off not only of her but of her children too. She is not reachable to even her own family… She seems to have been abducted,” he alleged, requesting the L-G and Delhi Police to locate her.

When The Indian Express reached out to Phogat for comment, there was no response.

Who will dominate the civic body?

The Standing Committee comprises 12 elected members from ward committees and six from within the House. In the ward committee polls, held on September 4, BJP won seven seats while AAP bagged five. Elections to the six Standing Committee members, after the 2023 mayoral polls, had resulted in both AAP and BJP securing three seats each. Following this, Sehrawat was elected to the Lok Sabha.

At present, while AAP holds eight Standing Committee seats, the BJP has 9. If the AAP secures the last seat, it will lead to a tie. However, if the BJP wins, giving it a clear majority, it will have the power to control the MCD’s purse strings.

If the Congress, which has nine members in the House, chooses to vote against AAP in Thursday’s election, AAP could lose its majority in the Standing Committee too. However, sources said Congress may abstain from voting, which could leave AAP with a slim advantage in securing the final seat.