News India BJP defeats Cong in tight contest in South Delhi Mayor polls

BJP defeats Cong in tight contest in South Delhi Mayor polls

New Delhi: In a photo-finish, BJP councilor Khushi Ram today defeated his Congress rival Dharamveer Singh by one vote to become South Delhi Mayor as MP Sandeep Dikshit failed to exercise his franchise, leaving his

Congress after an initial tied score of 51 each, ended up losing as one “misplaced” extra BJP vote was later found. 

“It could have ended up as a tie if not for the extra BJP mayoral vote that some councillor by mistake had cast in the the Deputy Mayor's ballot-box, which proved to be the decider for the BJP,” SDMC Public Relations Officer Mukesh Yadav said after the elections.

“If Dikshit had not have come late for the election proceedings, both would have polled 52 votes each,” Yadav said.

Out of total 104 votes polled, one vote was rendered invalid, he said.

Among the five MPs, Ajay Maken, Ramesh Kumar and Mahabal Mishra voted, a senior civic official said.

Congress councillor and Leader of the Opposition in the House Farhad Suri ruing the “missed opportunity” said,”Yes, if we had gotten those two crucial votes, we would have won, but this keenly fought contest also sends a clear message in the BJP camp that, all is not well there.”

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