BJP braces for South Delhi mayoral polls

After sailing comfortably in the North and East Delhi Municipal Corporations, the BJP is now losing sleep over the fate of its Mayoral candidates in South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) where it has failed to gain majority.

After sailing comfortably in the North and East Delhi Municipal Corporations, the BJP is now losing sleep over the fate of its Mayoral candidates in South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) where it has failed to gain majority.

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The BJP has 44 members in the 104-member House and needs at least 58 votes to win.

According to municipal laws, besides councillors, five MPs and five MLAs from the area, who are mostly from the Congress, can cast their vote which may compound its problems. BJP sources said they tried to prevent Seema Pandit, the Mayor candidate, and her husband Kishan Pehelwan, candidate for the post of deputy Mayor, who has criminal cases against him from contesting, but the couple has refused to budge.

The BJP has fielded Savita Gupta for the post of Mayor while NCP has fielded Phoolkali. If Pehelwan decides to withdraw from the race, Bir Singh of BSP will be elected deputy Mayor, unopposed, as the BJP has not fielded any candidate.