In a major upset for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) bagged four seats, including Kalyanpuri, Rohini-C, Shalimar Bagh (North) and Trilokpuri, in the bypolls held on five seats of the MCD. The Congress won the Chauhan Banger ward, whereas the BJP drew a blank.
After winning 4 out of 5 seats in the MCD bypolls, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has termed the victory as a “precursor to the upcoming MCD election”. The surprise was Congress winning one and BJP failing to win any. AAP’s Delhi Pradesh president and Cabinet Minister Gopal Rai spoke to The Sunday Guardian about the AAP’s victory in the MCD bypolls.
Excerpts:
Q: In the bypolls, AAP won 4 seats, including wresting Shalimar Bagh from the BJP, but lost the Chauhan Bangar ward. How do you evaluate this performance?
A: The mandate of this by-election is against the BJP which is in power in the Delhi corporation. BJP has made MCD the base of corruption. In this way, the use of BJP councillors also came to light. People have indicated as to what is going to happen in the next municipal elections. The people of Delhi want a government of corruption-free and working people. People have liked the Kejriwal model and the Aam Aadmi Party will now work on it.
Q: What happened in Chauhan Bangar? Will you analyse the reason why you lost that seat?
A: We have taken feedback of Chauhan Bangar and so far, there has been a local factor and whatever deficiencies have been there, we will have a review meeting and further decisions will be taken based on the input received.
Q: Is the local factor the reason behind AAP’s defeat in Chauhan Bangar or something else?
A: It is not right to add any other reason.
Q: Will the financial condition of the corporation improve after this victory?
A: The people have refused to believe in the lies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). I think the amount of money Kejriwal has given to the MCD government, no government has given that much money. We will make Delhi beautiful from this budget itself.
Q: What is to be believed that there will be no shortage of budget in the corporation?
A: There was no shortage of funds in the corporation. They get siphoned off due to corruption.