Parties trade claims, counterclaims

Following the announcement of the MCD bypoll results, political parties reacted with sharp and conflicting interpretations, each portraying the outcome as evidence of rising public support for their own side and a blow to their opponents.

Addressing a press conference, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the results reflect the continued preference of Delhi residents for the party. He highlighted that the BJP fielded eight women candidates out of 12. Six of them emerged victorious, which, he said, shows the public’s appreciation for the party’s focus on women’s political empowerment.

Sachdeva said securing seven wards and 45.9 per cent of the vote share in the bypoll proves that the BJP remains the first choice of Delhi people. He credited the victory to party workers and the extensive campaign led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

Sachdeva launched a fierce counter to AAP’s allegations of vote theft in the Ashok Vihar ward, calling the accusations baseless and born out of frustration.

He said AAP’s objections were an attempt to divert attention from its internal dissent among Muslim leadership and claimed that the party was now facing questions from its workers over the sidelining of local leaders Shoaib Iqbal and Aaley Mohammad in ticket distribution, a move, he said, contributed to AAP’s defeat in the Chandni Mahal ward.

The AAP, however, projected the results as a major endorsement of its governance model, insisting that it held all three of its seats despite what it called the BJP’s heavy-handed campaign. Party leaders described the outcome as a powerful boost and a sign that public trust in AAP is rapidly returning.

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal posted on X that the bypolls showed Delhi’s growing confidence in the AAP and its dedicated workers, while asserting that the city was soon returning towards positive politics and good works.

The Congress also claimed a moral victory after winning the Sangam Vihar ward. Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav said the result and the party’s jump in vote share from 6.18 per cent to 13.44 per cent signals that residents are once again turning towards the Congress. He argued that while the vote share of the BJP fell by 2 per cent and that of AAP by 8 per cent, the Congress has doubled its share due to renewed organisational strength.

Yadav said people had completely rejected the Rekha Gupta government, adding that the party would continue working at the grassroots to make a stronger comeback.