Delhi mayoral polls: Why BJP picked Raja Iqbal Singh, a former Akali leader, as its nominee

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has selected former Akali Dal leader Raja Iqbal Singh as its candidate for Delhi’s mayoral polls set for April 25. Singh, who joined the BJP during the 2020-21 farmers’ protests, gained media attention for overseeing a demolition drive in Jahangirpuri and navigating a shifting political landscape.

 

Political journey and party switch

 

Singh initially represented GTB Nagar as an Akali Dal councillor and headed the Civil Lines zone in the North Delhi Municipal Corporation until September 2020. When the Akali Dal withdrew from the NDA alliance opposing farm reforms, Singh declined to step down as councillor, eventually aligning with the BJP. By mid-2021, he was appointed mayor of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation.

 

Analysts note Singh’s deep-rooted connections to Akali Dal politics—his father-in-law once served as a GTB Nagar councillor, and his brother-in-law remains active in the party—could help attract former Akali supporters to the BJP. With the Akali Dal’s Delhi presence waning and leaders defecting, Singh’s shift solidified his position within the BJP.

 

Singh, often described as a reserved yet decisive figure, faces the task of maintaining the BJP’s hold amid scrutiny over his administrative decisions.

As the election approaches, Singh’s ability to balance his pragmatic approach with the BJP’s broader strategy will determine whether the party retains its dominance in Delhi’s civic leadership.

 

Jahangirpuri demolitions and backlash

 

A defining moment in Singh’s career emerged in April 2022, when the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, under his leadership, carried out a demolition drive in Jahangirpuri. The action followed communal violence during Hanuman Jayanti celebrations, which resulted in 20 arrests and NSA charges against five individuals. Authorities cited illegal constructions as the reason for targeting structures primarily owned by Muslim residents. Singh later emphasized the drive was procedural, not communal, aligning with municipal policies.

 

AAP boycotts

 

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Delhi’s ruling party until 2025, opted out of the mayoral race, accusing the BJP of “unethical tactics” to sway votes. 

India