Civic body bypolls: AAP announces 12 candidates

The AAP on Sunday announced its candidates for the November 30 bypolls to 12 wards of the Delhi Municipal Corporation, a day before the closure of nominations.

As per the list, Ram Swaroop Kanojia will contest from Dakshin Puri, Anuj Sharma from Sangam Vihar A, and Eeshna Gupta from Greater Kailash.

Geeta Rawat has been named AAP’s candidate from Vinod Nagar, while Babita Ahlawat will contest from Shalimar Bagh B ward.

Similarly, Seema Vikas Goel has been fielded from Ashok Vihar, Harsh Sharma from Chandni Chowk, and Muddasir Usman Qureshi from Chandni Mahal.

Rajbala Sehrawat will contest from Dwarka B, Anil Lakra from Mundka, Rajan Arora from Naraina, and Keshav Chauhan from Dichao Kalan.

The last date of filing of nominations is November 10, and the scrutiny of papers will take place on November 12. The last date of withdrawal of nomination is November 15.

The BJP held nine of these 12 wards earlier, and AAP councillors represented the remaining three. Rekha Gupta represented the Shalimar Bagh B ward, which she relinquished after winning the Assembly polls earlier this year, becoming Delhi’s Chief Minister.

BJP’s Kamaljeet Sehrawat vacated the Dwarka B ward after getting elected as MP from the West Delhi Lok Sabha seat.

The remaining wards were vacated after the sitting councillors from the BJP and AAP were elected as MLAs in the Assembly polls in February this year.

The polls are likely to see a keen contest between the AAP and the BJP. While it serves as an opportunity for the AAP to regain lost ground in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the BJP will look to further strengthen its tally in the 250-member civic body.