Saturday, March 29, 2025
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has now established a ‘triple engine’ government in Delhi with the election of Raja Iqbal Singh as the Mayor of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Raja Iqbal Singh secured a massive victory with 133 votes, while the Congress candidate received only 8. Out of a total of 142 votes, 141 were counted, with one vote declared invalid.
BJP’s Unopposed Win in Deputy Mayor Election
Congress candidate Ariba Khan withdrew her nomination for Deputy Mayor, paving the way for BJP’s Jai Bhagwan Yadav to be elected unopposed. Given the BJP’s numerical strength in the MCD, their victory in both mayoral and deputy mayoral elections on April 25 was widely expected.
BJP Returns to Power in MCD After Two and a Half Years
The BJP has returned to power in the unified MCD after two and a half years. Earlier, the party had held power in the corporation for 15 consecutive years. However, the new leadership faces several administrative challenges, including unauthorized constructions, waste management issues, and waterlogging.
Several resident welfare associations and traders have raised concerns about the decision to levy user charges along with property tax. The MCD administration has cited compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, notified by the Central Government. It is now expected that with BJP back in power, a decision may be taken regarding these contentious charges.
Raja Iqbal Singh Outlines Key Priorities
Cleanliness: Singh emphasized that cleanliness in Delhi would be a top priority. He promised swift action to remove garbage and reduce the city’s towering landfill sites, aiming to make Delhi pollution-free.
Greening Delhi: He pledged to increase greenery in parks and improve their maintenance, ensuring better conditions for public spaces.
Trader Issues: To address licensing challenges faced by traders, he said a plan would be implemented to simplify processes and eliminate inspector raj.
Healthcare and Education: He promised improvements in MCD hospitals and the primary education system. Facilities in schools will be enhanced and maintained consistently.
Waterlogging: Special attention will be paid to cleaning drains regularly to prevent waterlogging during the monsoon.
Jai Bhagwan Yadav on Education Reforms
Deputy Mayor Jai Bhagwan Yadav stated that improving the quality of MCD schools would be a key focus. Shortages of sanitation staff and teachers at the zonal level would be addressed. Weekly ground-level inspections will be conducted, and swift action taken wherever deficiencies are found.
Raja Iqbal Singh’s Political Journey
Twice elected councillor from Mukherjee Nagar
Former Mayor of North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) (2021–2022)
Leader of Opposition in the corporation (Feb 2022–2024)
Former Chairman, Environment Committee (2018–2020)
Former Vice-Chairman, Ward Committee, Civil Lines Zone (2018)
Former Head of Civil Lines Zone (2021)
Educational Background and Career
Raja Iqbal Singh completed his B.Sc. from Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, Delhi University (1989–1992), and earned his LLB from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut (2007–2010). Before entering politics, he worked as a business consultant.
