Arvind Kejriwal led-Aam Aadmi Party [AAP],  which contested the municipal elections for the first time, has won five seats in the Delhi civic bypolls. Congress managed to grab four while BJP won three seats. AAP gave a tough fight to the BJP and the Congress. It won MCD seats at Ballimaran, Vikas Nagar, Matiala, Nanakpura and Tekhand.

The by polls were seen as a litmus test for AAP. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted: “MCD ruled by BJP-Cong. Outsider AAP wins max seats in by-election. Thanks Delhi for reaffirming faith. Ab MCD election mein sabhi seat jeetni hai.”

BJP won at Shalimar Bagh North, Wazirpur and Nawada. Congress won at Qamaruddin Nagar, Munirka, Jhilmil and Khicripur. An independent candidate won the seat at Bhati.

Jarnail Singh, MLA Tilak Nagar, says the party has managed to make inroads into municipal wards in its first civic polls. “It was just for 13 wards and the voting percentage was also less. You cannot really judge the mood of voters. But the result does reflect what people want. We will worker harder for 2017 elections and will win with clear mandate,” he adds.

By polls for the 13 wards of Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) were held on May 15. The results of the elections was expected to reflect the mood for the MCD elections due in 2017.

At present, the BJP heads all the three municipal corporations. The by-elections were necessitated because 13 councillors were elected to Delhi assembly.

Of the 13 wards, seven wards including Nawada, Munirka fall under the jurisdiction of south Delhi municipal corporation, four wards including Ballimaran and Wazirpur fall under the north Delhi municipal corporation and two in east Delhi municipal corporation. While the Munirka ward was contested by women candidates, the rest were general wards.

Delhi MCD elections for all the 272 seats are scheduled in 2017.