While Kanwaria polled 85 votes, Baniwal managed the support of only 46 MCD corporators. From the Congress, there were 42 councillors and five MLAs present. On the BJP side, there were a total of 80, including three MPs and one MLA. Besides them, there were four Independents present. After the election, BJP councillors alleged there was cross-voting.

The 49-year-old mayor of Delhi is a post-graduate in Hindi from Delhi University. She was a teacher for 22 years and was working as a lecturer in Government Senior Secondary School, Hari Nagar Clock Tower, before she took voluntary retirement. At present, she is the chairman of the appointment, promotion and allied matters committee of the MCD.