The mayoral poll in the BJP-led South Delhi Municipal Corporation seems to be taking an interesting turn as one of the senior leaders of the Delhi SAD here today claimed that its councillors "intend to boycott" the elections slated for Friday.
President of the Youth Akali Dal, Delhi State Majinder Singh Sirsa claimed, several leaders in the party here are "miffed at" over BJP "not involving" the ally in the decision-making process.
"Therefore our four councillors are intending to boycott the mayoral polls on April 24," he said.
Shiromani Akali Dal was BJP's ally in last Delhi Assembly polls and SAD has three concillors in SDMC and one in North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC).
The 104-member SDMC House is down to 97 councillors as the rest left to contest Delhi Assembly elections. And, now with 5 MLAs and 5 MPs, there will be 107 electors. BJP has 50 councillors and Congress 35.
In last mayoral polls, which witnessed high drama, BJP councillor Khushi Ram Chunar had won the top municipal post by a solitary vote. And, Congress had managed keep the post of the Deputy Mayor, with Praveen Rana edging out Bir Singh of the BJP's ally Bahujan Samaj Party by 13 votes.
This time, the mayoral battle will see clash of two of the strongest candidates from both BJP and the Congress, setting the stage for an even contest, although BJP is "exuding confidence" of victory in the high-stake polls.
BJP has fielded the current Standing Committee Chairman Subhash Arya against former Delhi Mayor Farhad Suri.
Suri, a Congress councillor is currently Leader of Opposition in the SDMC, and is likely to offer stiff contest to Arya.
"We are very confident of winning the polls on April 24. BJP will perform well," Arya has claimed.
The party, which was reduced to mere three seats in last Delhi Assembly polls by a resurgent AAP, is, however, likely to be cautious ahead of the big day.
The mayoral poll in the 104-member NDMC is scheduled to take place on April 28.
