India News : The Indraprastha Vikas Party (IVP), formed by 16 former **Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillors, is set to merge with the **Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), strengthening the ruling party’s position in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) ahead of next year’s civic elections.
The merger will take place at the Delhi BJP headquarters in the presence of Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Following the merger, all 16 IVP councillors will officially become BJP members.
BJP Eyes Stronger Position in MCD
The move comes as the BJP prepares to announce its candidates for the chairperson and deputy chairperson posts of the MCD’s ward committees. With Thursday being the final day for nominations, party leaders are expected to accommodate some of the incoming IVP councillors in key municipal positions.
IVP Was Formed After Split from AAP
The IVP was formed about 14 months ago after 16 councillors broke away from AAP following the party’s defeat in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections. Their exit weakened AAP’s position in the MCD, affecting elections to ward committees and the Standing Committee after the party lost the mayoral post.
Although IVP generally supported the BJP on several issues in the MCD, differences occasionally surfaced. Recently, IVP councillors staged a walkout during an MCD meeting after allegedly not being given an opportunity to speak during a discussion on drain cleaning.
Key Leaders May Get Important Roles
According to sources, BJP is likely to reward several IVP leaders with important positions in the MCD.
IVP chief Mukesh Goyal may be appointed chairman of an ad hoc or special committee, while co-leader Hemchandra Goyal could be nominated to the MCD Standing Committee from the Central Zone.
In addition, nominated councillor Manoj Jain is reportedly being considered for the post of deputy chairperson.
Strategy for the 2027 Civic Elections
The merger is also seen as part of BJP’s preparations for the 2027 Delhi Municipal Corporation elections. Political observers believe that joining the BJP will strengthen the electoral prospects of former IVP councillors, who may have found it difficult to contest future elections independently under the IVP banner.
BJP’s Strength in MCD to Increase
With the induction of the 16 IVP councillors, BJP’s strength in the 250-member Municipal Corporation of Delhi is expected to rise to 139 councillors.
In the 2022 MCD elections, BJP had won 104 seats. Subsequent defections from AAP had already increased its tally to 123, and the addition of IVP members will further consolidate the party’s majority across several municipal zones, including Narela, Rohini, Civil Lines, City-SP, Karol Bagh, West, Central, South, and Shahdara South.
