In the wake of a fiercely contested by-election, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as the dominant force in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) bypolls, winning seven out of the twelve wards up for grabs. However, the victory was not without setbacks, as the party failed to retain two seats it previously held, offering a glimmer of opportunity to its rivals, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, and the All India Forward Bloc (AIFB).
According to multiple reports, including coverage from Hindustan Times and The Hindu, the counting of votes began at 8 a.m. on December 3, 2025, across ten counting centers strategically located throughout Delhi. The process unfolded under tight security, with nearly 1,800 Delhi Police personnel and ten companies of paramilitary forces deployed. The strong rooms housing the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were under round-the-clock CCTV surveillance, underscoring the high stakes and the authorities’ determination to ensure a fair count.
These bypolls were particularly significant as they marked the BJP’s first major electoral test since it swept to power in Delhi’s assembly elections in February 2025. The context was clear: of the twelve wards where voting was held on November 30, nine had previously been held by the BJP, while the remaining three were controlled by AAP. With the city’s political landscape still settling after the February shakeup, all eyes were on whether the BJP could consolidate its grip or if the opposition could mount a meaningful challenge.
The results, announced later that day, painted a nuanced picture. BJP secured its first win with Suman Kumar Gupta in the Chandni Chowk ward, defeating AAP’s Harsh Sharma by a margin of 1,182 votes. According to The Hindu, Gupta’s victory set the tone for the party’s performance across several other wards. Anita Jain, another BJP candidate, scored a resounding victory in Shalimar Bagh B, besting AAP’s Babita Rana by over 10,000 votes. This seat had been vacated by Rekha Gupta, who ascended to the chief minister’s post after the February assembly triumph.
Other notable BJP victories included Manisha Devi (also referred to as Manisha Rani in some reports) in Dwarka B, who triumphed by a comfortable margin of 9,100 votes against AAP’s Raj Bala. The Dwarka B seat was previously held by Kamaljeet Sehrawat, now a Member of Parliament. BJP’s Sarla Choudhry and Veena Asija captured Vinod Nagar and Ashok Vihar, respectively, with Asija edging out AAP’s Seema Goyal by just 405 votes—a tight contest that kept both parties on edge. Anjum Mandal prevailed in Greater Kailash, and Rekha Rani secured Dichaon Kalan for the BJP.
Despite this strong showing, the BJP’s inability to retain two of its previously held seats provided a morale boost for its opponents. The Aam Aadmi Party clinched three wards: Ram Swaroop Kanojia in Dakshinpuri, Anil in Mundka, and Rajan Arora in Naraina. Arora’s win in Naraina was particularly narrow, with a margin of only 148 votes over BJP’s Chandrakanta Shivani, highlighting the competitive nature of the contest.
Congress, which has often struggled to make a mark in Delhi’s recent local elections, registered a significant win in Sangam Vihar A. Suresh Choudhary defeated BJP’s Subhajeet Gautam by polling 12,766 votes to Gautam’s 9,138, as reported by The Hindu. The All India Forward Bloc also made its presence felt, with Mohd Imran securing the Chandni Mahal ward by a margin of 4,692 votes against AAP’s Mudassar Usman.
In total, 51 candidates—26 of them women—contested across the twelve wards, reflecting a growing trend of female participation in local governance. The BJP fielded eight women, AAP six, and Congress five, signaling a shift toward more inclusive representation, albeit slowly.
Voter turnout, however, was noticeably lower than in previous elections. The State Election Commission reported a turnout of 38.51% for the bypolls, a significant drop from the 50.47% recorded during the 2022 MCD elections, which covered all 250 wards. Some analysts attribute this decline to voter fatigue, the limited scope of the bypolls, or perhaps a sense of inevitability following the BJP’s earlier landslide. Whatever the reason, the reduced participation is likely to prompt soul-searching among all parties as they look ahead to future contests.
The logistical operation behind the scenes was formidable. Ten counting centers were established at locations including Kanjhawala, Pitampura, Bharat Nagar, Civil Lines, Rouse Avenue, Dwarka, Najafgarh, Gole Market, Pushp Vihar, and Mandawali. Security arrangements were robust, with paramilitary forces and police working in tandem to prevent any disruptions. Around 700 staff were assigned to the counting process, with facilities provided for candidates and their authorized agents to observe the proceedings firsthand.
For the BJP, the bypolls were more than just a test of electoral strength—they were a barometer of public confidence in the wake of their assembly victory. While the party’s dominance remains clear, the opposition’s ability to wrest a few seats serves as a reminder that Delhi’s electorate remains fluid and unpredictable.
Political observers noted that the results could influence strategies for both the BJP and its challengers as the city heads toward future elections. The AAP’s gains, though modest, suggest that the party still commands loyalty in certain pockets, while Congress’s win signals the potential for a broader revival if it can build on its momentum.
As the dust settles, the bypolls offer a snapshot of a city in political transition—one where established power is being tested, new alliances are forming, and every vote counts. The BJP’s impressive tally is both a testament to its organizational strength and a warning not to take its dominance for granted. Meanwhile, the opposition parties have reason to regroup and strategize, buoyed by their pockets of success.
Delhi’s local political landscape, it seems, remains as dynamic as ever, with the results of these bypolls setting the stage for the next chapter in the capital’s ongoing power play.