Why control of key MCD standing committee may be decided by lottery

Control over the powerful standing committee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi could hinge on a draw of lots as half of its members are set to retire, potentially altering the balance of power between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Aam Aadmi Party.

By Shaptadeep Saha

Mar 10, 2026 06:58 IST

The balance of power in the influential standing committee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) may soon be determined by chance rather than electoral arithmetic. With half of the panel’s members scheduled to retire this month, officials say the process of deciding who steps down will be done through a draw of lots, a procedural requirement that has put both major political parties on edge.

Why a lottery will decide the retiring members

According to TOI, the MCD rules translate to members of the standing committee serve a two-year term, but one year after the committee is formed, half of its members must retire through a draw of lots. This means that nine members of the 18-member panel will leave their positions after the draw determines which councillors step down.

The standing committee is considered the most powerful decision-making body within the corporation. It plays a crucial role in overseeing finances and approving major civic projects, including those valued at more than ₹50 crore. Among the members set to retire through the lottery process are three councillors elected directly from the House and six elected from zonal ward committees. Once the names of outgoing members are finalised, the process of electing their replacements will begin in the coming months.

Political stakes high for the BJP and AAP

The outcome of the draw could significantly shift the political balance within the committee, making it a tense moment for both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). At present, the six members elected from the House are evenly split between the two parties, with three from each side.

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However, among the 12 members elected from ward committees, the BJP currently has a stronger presence with eight members, while AAP has four. Depending on which members retire through the lottery, either party could lose its numerical advantage and struggle to secure control of the committee’s chairperson post.

The stakes are further heightened by shifting political equations in several zones following recent by-elections, which have tightened competition in ward committees.

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Once the outgoing members are identified, fresh elections to fill the vacant seats are expected to take place between April and June, while the MCD mayoral election is also scheduled next month. Together, these developments could reshape the power dynamics within Delhi’s civic body in the months ahead.