Mayoral polls next week, AAP has task cut out to pick nominee

WITH POLLS to elect a new mayor to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) scheduled for April 26, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sources said two councillors are at the top of its list — Sarika Chaudhary from the Daryaganj ward and Prem Chauhan from Dakshinpuri Extension.

According to party sources, a fine balance is needed to pick one as the decision comes down to choosing a candidate who enjoys popularity among councillors and someone who is considered close to the party leadership.

The nomination has to be filed by Thursday.

This year, the Mayor’s seat is reserved for councillors from the Scheduled Caste category. Going by the DMC Act, a woman candidate will be appointed as mayor in the first year, a general candidate in the second year, candidates from reserved category in the third year, and a general candidate for the fourth and fifth years.

The AAP has 32 SC councillors out of 134.

Sources said both Chaudhary and Chauhan have long standing affiliations with AAP. Earlier, Mohini Jeenwal from Sunder Nagri and Vikas Tonk from Civil Lines were also in the running, but after deliberations, Chaudhary and Chauhan emerged as primary candidates, added the sources.

Chauhan, currently in his second term as an MCD councillor, previously served as the Leader of Opposition in the erstwhile South Delhi Municipal Corporation. Chaudhary, on the other hand, has been the president of the party’s state women’s wing and was a member of the Delhi Commission for Women.

Both have been active in MCD council meetings. Party sources had earlier claimed that the party is looking to field a male candidate for the mayor’s post this year, giving Chauhan an advantage. However Chaudhary is not out of the running yet.

“A meeting with the senior leadership and councillors was held on Monday to discuss the final candidates for the post of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor... a majority of the councillors are in support of Chauhan for the Mayor’s post,” a party leader said.

In the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party camp, there is no decision yet. “Discussions have taken place... we are likely to announce the candidates on Wednesday. We will give a tough fight,” a source from the BJP said.

The BJP has a total of 6 SC and ST councillors among its total of 104.

Express The race is down to two candidates — Sarika Chaudhary (left) from the Daryaganj ward and Prem Chauhan from Dakshinpuri Extension.