NEW DELHI, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Shelly Oberoi from the Indian capital's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (Common Man Party) was elected as the new mayor on Wednesday after she defeated Rekha Gupta belonging to the main ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (Indian People's Party) by over 30 votes.
After a delay of nearly 10 months, elections to the local Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) were held in December 2022 when a total of 250 Municipal Councillors were elected. The AAP won the maximum number of 134 municipal wards, with the BJP candidates gaining 104 municipal wards.
Political slugfest between the AAP and BJP over mayor's election continued for over two months, with difference of opinion between the two sides over voting rights of some un-elected/nominated members. Finally the Supreme Court had to intervene on Feb. 18 holding that un-elected/nominated members cannot vote in the mayor's election.
After the apex court's ruling, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, "Delhi will now get a mayor after two-and-a-half months."
The BJP had ruled the MCD for 15 years before the December elections. ■
