Why the MCD bypolls matter for Capital

With the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) bypolls scheduled for Sunday, the BJP, AAP and Congress are vying for gains in a contest that could reshape Delhi’s local power balance. Far from a routine exercise, the byelections are being viewed as a verdict on governance in one of the Capital’s most influential civic institutions.

For residents, everyday concerns such as garbage collection, sanitation, stray dog management, primary schooling, street lighting, community parks, property tax, building permissions, dispensaries and local clinics fall directly under the MCD’s domain, making the outcome significant for neighbourhood-level functioning across the city.

Established in 1958 through an Act of Parliament, the MCD became one of India’s largest civic bodies. The Delhi Town Hall in Chandni Chowk served as its headquarters until 2009, when operations shifted to the Civic Centre on Minto Road. Before its creation, municipal affairs were handled by a patchwork of 13 bodies overseeing notified areas, electricity, water, sewerage and transport, often resulting in overlapping jurisdiction and delays. The Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 consolidated these entities into a single corporation to streamline civic administration.

Under the Act, the MCD is responsible for wide-ranging obligatory civic functions—sanitation, drainage, public health services, disease control, hospitals, markets, street lighting, naming of streets, birth and death registration, primary education, parks, waste management, dangerous building regulation and maintenance of public spaces. It also handles discretionary activities such as running libraries, art galleries, sports facilities, veterinary hospitals, staff housing, fairs and botanical collections.

As Delhi grew rapidly, the number of MCD wards increased from 80 to 100, then 134, and finally 272 by 2012. In 2022, after the Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Act, the total was rationalised to 250 seats, with 42 reserved for Scheduled Castes based on Census 2011.

The unified MCD continued until 2012, when it was split into North, South and East Delhi municipal corporations. The trifurcation created three administrative structures—three mayors, three commissioners and separate departments—with SDMC and NDMC managing 104 wards each, while EDMC oversaw 64. The redesign of zones, including the creation of Keshavpuram and the merging of City and Sadar Paharganj zones, followed this restructuring. Although the move aimed to improve service delivery, all three bodies were reunified a decade later.

Reunification came into force following parliamentary approval in March–April 2022. Since then, political equations in the House have continued to shift. After reunification, the Aam Aadmi Party held control until the BJP won the mayoral election earlier this year. At present, in the 238-member House, the BJP holds 115 seats, AAP 99, the Indraprastha Vikas Party 16 and Congress 8.

With the balance of power delicately poised, the bypoll outcomes carry the potential to influence the next mayoral contest. As voters head to the polls on November 30, the results are expected not only to reflect public sentiment but also to set the stage for the Capital’s political contests in the months ahead.