The merger takes the BJP's tally in the 250-member civic House to 139 councillors, giving it a stronger numerical advantage ahead of key decisions in the corporation.

The merger was announced at a joint press conference by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra in the presence of six-time councillor and IVP chief Mukesh Goyal, along with all 16 councillors.

Senior BJP leaders, including Delhi Mayor Pravesh Wahi, Leader of the House Jaibhagwan Yadav and BJP general secretary Vishnu Mittal, were also present on the occasion.

The Indraprastha Vikas Party was formed on May 17, 2025, after Goyal and 15 other councillors broke away from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). On Thursday evening, Goyal formally requested the BJP leadership to merge the outfit with the party, a proposal that was accepted by the central leadership.

Welcoming the councillors, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said they would receive "full respect" within the BJP and opportunities to serve the people. She said the merger reflected growing confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and would help extend the benefits of the BJP's "triple-engine government" to more areas of the Capital.

Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra said the decision was driven by the councillors' desire to connect their wards with the development initiatives being undertaken by the Rekha Gupta government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He claimed that around 11-12 lakh residents across the 16 wards would benefit from the merger and added that the BJP government had, for the first time, provided a development fund of Rs 1 crore to every MCD councillor, irrespective of party affiliation.

Explaining the decision to switch sides, Mukesh Goyal launched a sharp attack on his former party, alleging that no meaningful development work was carried out during the AAP's tenure in the MCD that despite his serving as the Leader of the House in 2023. He claimed councillors were deprived of development funds and civic administration remained confined to political rhetoric. Goyal said the support extended by the BJP after the formation of the IVP convinced all 16 councillors to merge with the party "unconditionally".

The councillors who joined the BJP are Mukesh Goyal, Hemchand Goyal, Devendra Kumar, Usha Sharma, Dinesh Kumar, Suman Anil Rana, Manisha Jasveer Karala, Babi Ji, Runakshi Sharma, Rajesh Ladi, Sahib Kumar, Rakhi Yadav, Kamal Bhardwaj, Leena Kumar, Himani Jain and Ashok Pandey.