Shafaqna India: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has approached the Supreme Court to contest the September 27 election for a member of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) standing committee, which was won by the BJP.
The BJP secured the last vacant seat in the 18-member standing committee unopposed, as AAP councillors boycotted the election, claiming the process violated the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accused the BJP of “murdering” democracy, labeling the election as “illegal and unconstitutional.” She stated that AAP would seek judicial intervention against the election results.
“The country operates under the Constitution and laws, not under hooliganism. The BJP must stop undermining democracy,” she said, asserting that the election contravened the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) Act of 1957. Atishi emphasized that only the mayor has the authority to set the date and venue for the standing committee elections and preside over such meetings.
In response, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva dismissed Atishi’s claims as politically motivated, accusing her of spreading confusion. He cited Section 45 of the DMC Act, which mandates the formation of the standing committee, and noted that under Section 487, the Lieutenant Governor and municipal commissioner have the power to convene meetings in special circumstances and appoint a presiding officer.
Recently, the BJP also filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking an urgent hearing to initiate contempt proceedings against Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi regarding the election for the vacant standing committee position.
Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that the law allows the Delhi Lieutenant Governor to nominate aldermen to the MCD without being bound by the council of ministers’ advice, dismissing the Delhi Government’s petition that challenged this authority.