Introduction
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a significant victory on Friday by gaining the last vacant seat in the 18-member Standing Committee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) without opposition. This came after councilors from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress party boycotted the electoral process, citing illegitimacy. As a result, BJP’s candidate, Sunder Singh, received unanimous support from all 115 BJP councilors, while AAP’s candidate, Nirmala Kumari, did not receive any votes.
Current Standing in the Committee
With this latest election, the BJP now holds 10 positions within the Standing Committee, while the AAP retains 8. The Standing Committee is recognized as the highest decision-making authority within the civic body of Indiaโs national capital.
The AAP’s Allegations
AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal voiced strong criticisms against the BJP, accusing them of unlawfully seizing control of the MCD and infringing upon the public mandate. He expressed these concerns during a session of the Delhi Assembly, highlighting that only the Mayor has the authority to convene a meeting of the MCD House. However, he claimed that this protocol was overridden by the Lieutenant Governor, who directed the Additional Commissioner of the civic body to call the meeting instead.
Kejriwal condemned the BJP for what he described as ‘hooliganism’ and questioned the legitimacy of the electoral process, asking, “Is this an election?” His remarks reflect a growing tension between the two major political parties in Delhi.
Background of the Boycott
The boycott by AAP was rooted in a series of events leading up to the elections. Initially scheduled for Thursday, the elections were postponed due to protests from AAP councilors regarding security checks that limited their ability to carry mobile phones into the voting hall. Following the disruptions, Mayor Shelley Oberoi adjourned the MCD session until October 5, asserting that councilors should have the freedom to keep their mobile devices with them.
In a surprising move, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena overturned the Mayorโs decision and mandated the elections to proceed on Friday. Angered by this directive, the AAP councilors chose to abstain from participation in the elections altogether.
The Election Result and Context
The unopposed election for the final seat occurred as the previous holder, BJP councilor Kamaljit Sehrawat, transitioned to a Lok Sabha MP position representing West Delhi, creating this vacancy. The voting conducted involved the Additional Commissioner Jitendra Yadav acting as the presiding officer due to the absence of both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, ensuring the electoral process could move forward despite the controversy surrounding it.
Conclusion
This situation reflects ongoing political rivalry and the complexities of governance within the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. As parties reposition themselves within the Standing Committee, the effectiveness and authority of the MCD will continue to be scrutinized in the coming months.
