The wait is finally over for Delhi. After multiple failed attempts, Delhi got its mayor after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s candidate Dr Shelly Oberoi was elected as the new mayor of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Wednesday, February 23.
The election was held after two months of continuous tussle between the AAP and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the election process.
Finally, the Supreme Court, last week, paved the way for the election after it observed that nominated members cannot vote in the mayoral election of the MCD.
In a statement following her victory, Dr Oberoi has set her sights on fulfilling the ten guarantees made by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
In a tweet, Dr Oberoi said, “We will fulfil all the 10 guarantees of CM Arvind Kejriwal.”
Dr Oberoi’s focus on fulfilling these guarantees is indicative of the party’s commitment to improving the lives of Delhi’s residents. She also announced that all corporators would begin working immediately to address the various issues faced by the city.
Dr Oberoi also acknowledged the role of the Supreme Court in ensuring a peaceful election. “I am also very grateful to the Supreme Court of India and the Chief Justice of India. It is due to their order that a peaceful election could be conducted in the MCD today and I have been presented with this opportunity to be elected as the Mayor of Delhi,” she said.
She went on to describe her win as a victory for the people of Delhi and the democratic process of the country. “Today’s election result also proves that ‘gundagardi’ that had been prevailing in the MCD in the last few days has been defeated and it is the victory of truth,” she said.
Dr Oberoi was elected as a councillor from Ward 86 in the corporation elections. She holds a PhD from IGNOU’s School of Management Studies and has previously worked as an assistant professor at several universities.
She joined the AAP as an activist in 2013 and was appointed Delhi state vice president of the party’s women’s wing two years ago.
The new mayor will now be tasked with overseeing the management and administration of the MCD, which has been criticised in the past for its poor handling of basic services such as sanitation and waste management.
With her academic background and experience as a party activist, she will be hoping to bring fresh ideas and energy to the role.