The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday announced the immediate suspension of three Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) councillors: Nirmala Devi (Sharma), Krishna Devi Raghav, and Sultana Abad. This disciplinary action comes in the wake of fresh defections from the party to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), signaling a growing political struggle within the city's civic body.
Key Defection Triggers Suspensions
The suspensions were announced just one day after Vikas Tank, the AAP councillor representing Civil Lines and chairman of the City-Sadar Paharganj Zone, formally joined the BJP. Tank's defection marks a significant gain for the BJP in the MCD House, which has seen a shifting balance of power since the December 2022 elections.
Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj made the brief announcement regarding the suspensions, though specific reasons for the disciplinary action against Nirmala Devi, Krishna Devi Raghav, and Sultana Abad were not immediately detailed. The move is widely seen as a direct response to the increasing number of councillors switching allegiance.
BJP Strengthens Position in MCD
Vikas Tank was welcomed into the BJP by prominent party leaders, including Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra, Chandni Chowk MP Praveen Khandelwal, and BJP media department head Praveen Shankar Kapoor. Following Tank's induction, the BJP's total strength in the 250-ward MCD House has reportedly risen to 140 councillors.
The 2022 MCD elections saw the AAP secure 134 wards, ending the BJP's long-standing three-term control over the civic body, which had won 104 wards. Recent defections have steadily eroded AAP's majority and bolstered the BJP's presence.
Allegations and Political Blame
Upon joining the BJP, Vikas Tank criticized his former party, alleging that the AAP had failed to deliver on its promises for public welfare in Delhi. He specifically cited unfulfilled commitments regarding the removal of garbage dumps and providing relief from house tax. Tank also claimed that many councillors had left the AAP due to a lack of responsiveness from the party leadership regarding their concerns.
Harsh Malhotra, while welcoming Tank, stated that numerous opposition councillors were joining the BJP, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and the developmental initiatives underway. This ongoing political maneuvering highlights the intense rivalry between the two major parties for control and influence over Delhi's municipal governance.