Thu Nov 14 20:03:23 IST 2024: ## AAP’s Mahesh Khinchi Elected Delhi’s First Dalit Mayor in Controversial Vote

**New Delhi:** Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Mahesh Khinchi was elected as Delhi’s first Dalit Mayor on [date of election] after a chaotic election marked by walkouts, resignations, and allegations of cross-voting. Khinchi, a councillor from Karol Bagh’s Dev Nagar ward, secured 133 votes, narrowly defeating BJP candidate Kishan Pal who received 130 votes.

The election was marred by disruptions, including a walkout by Congress members who protested against the five-month term for the newly elected mayor. The Congress had demanded a full one-year term for the first Dalit mayor.

Adding to the drama, AAP’s Ravindra Bhardwaj was elected unopposed as Deputy Mayor after BJP candidate Neeta Bisht withdrew her nomination at the last minute.

The BJP, despite having 120 members, managed to secure 10 more votes than their official count. The party alleged that this was a result of cross-voting by AAP members, calling it a “moral defeat” for AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal.

The election, which is normally held every April, has been repeatedly postponed since April due to a series of disagreements between the ruling AAP and the BJP. This includes a tussle over the appointment of a presiding officer by the Lieutenant Governor, as well as AAP’s boycott of the election in September after councillors were frisked.

The latest round of controversy saw Congress Councillor Sabila Begum resigning from the party’s primary membership, citing her objection to the party’s walkout which she felt would benefit the BJP.

Khinchi’s tenure will only be for five months, leaving the political landscape in Delhi uncertain. The election is expected to be held again in the near future, with the BJP and the AAP likely to continue their political tussle for control of the Delhi Municipal Corporation.

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Thu Nov 14 14:33:23 UTC 2024: ## Aam Aadmi Party Wins Delhi Mayoral Election Amidst Chaos and Controversy

**New Delhi:** In a closely contested election marred by controversy and a walkout by the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has secured victory in the Delhi Mayoral election. Mahesh Khinchi, a councilor from Karol Bagh’s Dev Nagar ward, has been elected as the new Mayor, marking a historic moment as Delhi’s first Dalit Mayor.

Khinchi secured 133 votes, narrowly edging out BJP candidate Kishan Pal who received 130 votes. The election was held after much chaos and disruption, with the Congress members walking out in protest over the limited tenure of the newly elected Mayor.

The BJP, despite having 120 members, managed to secure 10 more votes, alleging cross-voting by AAP members. In a statement, the party claimed this victory was a “moral defeat” for AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, who they believe no longer has the moral right to hold the position.

The election for the post of Deputy Mayor saw AAP’s Ravindra Bhardwaj win unopposed. His opponent, BJP councilor Neeta Bisht, withdrew her nomination at the last minute.

The election, originally scheduled for April, has been delayed several times due to a political tug-of-war between the AAP and the BJP. The newly elected Mayor will only serve a five-month term, a point of contention that led to the Congress walkout.

Adding to the drama, Congress councilor Sabila Begum resigned from the party, citing disagreement with the walkout decision, and voted for the AAP candidate. Her husband, Mohammad Khushnood, also resigned from the party.

The delay in the election was attributed to various factors, including Arvind Kejriwal’s judicial custody, the AAP boycotting an earlier election, and procedural disputes over the appointment of a presiding officer.

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