The Aam Aadmi Party has retained the Rajinder Nagar assembly seat after its candidate Durgesh Pathak defeated BJP’s Rajesh Bhatia by over 11,000 votes. The seat had fallen vacant after Raghav Chadha was elected to the Rajya Sabha earlier this year.
Reacting to Pathak’s victory, Chadha tweeted, “I thank all the constituents of Rajinder Nagar assembly constituency for once again showering their love and blessing on AAP. Today’s by poll victory is an affirmation of ‘Kejriwal Model of Governance.’ Best wishes to my brother Durgesh Pathak, as I pass on the baton to him.”
AAP chief and Delhi chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, tweeted, “Heartfelt thanks to the people of Rajendra Nagar. I am grateful for this immense affection and love showed by the people of Delhi. This inspires us to work harder and serve. People defeated their dirty politics and appreciated our good work. Thank you Rajendra Nagar, thank you Delhi.”
Chadha had won the seat in 2020 by a margin of over 20,000 seats.
The biggest loser in the by-poll in Rajinder Nagar was the Congress Party, which faced a complete rout. Its candidate Prem Lata received just 1677 votes, losing her deposit.