Candidates file papers for ward committee polls
New Delhi, August 30
Candidates from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress filed their nominations for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) ward committee elections on Friday, ahead of the polls scheduled for September 4.
The AAP has fielded 33 candidates in 11 of the 12 zones, excluding Keshav Puram. Notable candidates include Prem Chauhan, contesting for the standing committee member position in South Delhi, and Tilotma Chaudhary, running for deputy chairman in Najafgarh zone. Promila Gupta, former Delhi Commission for Women member, is also in fray for a standing committee position in Civil Lines. Punardeep Singh Sabby, son of AAP MLA Parlad Singh Sawhney, has been nominated from the City SP zone.
The BJP, with 30 candidates across 10 zones, has avoided contesting in the City SP zone and Karol Bagh. Raja Iqbal Singh, the Leader of Opposition and former North Delhi Mayor, is is contesting for the post of standing committee member in Civil Lines. Other BJP candidates include Pawan Shehrawat and Sugandha, who recently switched from the AAP, vying for chairman posts in Narela and Central zone, respectively. Former East Delhi Mayor Neema Bhagat is contesting for a Standing Committee role in Shahdara South zone.
The Congress, with only nine councillors in the MCD, has focused its efforts in Shahdara South zone. Haji Zarif is in fray for chairman, Nazia Khatoon for deputy chairman and Sabeela Khatoon for a standing committee position.
The elections, which will decide chairpersons and deputy chairpersons for the ward committees and members for the Standing Committee, are critical for the formation of the MCD’s decision-making body. The standing committee has significant authority, approving expenditures of Rs 5 crore and above.