In a dramatic turn of events, Delhi MCD Mayor declares committee polls illegal, challenging the validity of the elections scheduled for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Standing Committee. Mayor Shelly Oberoi has formally declared that the election for the final vacant seat of the committee, set for September 27, is “unconstitutional” and “invalid.” Her decision has sparked political tensions and deepened the ongoing conflict between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi, VK Saxena.
Mayor Oberoi Rejects Polls Scheduled by MCD Commissioner
The Delhi MCD Mayor declares committee polls illegal after the MCD Commissioner, following orders from Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, announced that the election would be held on Friday, September 27. Mayor Oberoi, however, has insisted that the election should instead take place on October 5, as initially planned. In a strongly-worded letter to MCD Commissioner Ashwani Kumar, Oberoi expressed her disapproval of the LG’s intervention and stated that the election under the current directive is both “unconstitutional” and “invalid.”
Mayor Oberoi’s decision comes after five members of the MCD Standing Committee were elected, with only one seat remaining vacant. The election of this final member has become a focal point of political tension, with the AAP and LG at odds over the scheduling and process of the election.
AAP to Boycott Polls
In response to Delhi MCD Mayor declaring committee polls illegal, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced its decision to boycott the election if it is held on September 27. Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia reiterated that the party will not participate in any election conducted before October 5, aligning with Mayor Oberoi’s position.
Sisodia also hinted at the possibility of legal action, should the elections proceed on Friday. “If the polls are forced upon us today, we will approach the court,” he stated. The AAP’s position underscores the intense political dynamics within the Delhi MCD, with accusations of overreach by the LG and calls for adherence to democratic principles in local governance.
Lieutenant Governor Overrules Mayor’s Decision
The conflict escalated when Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena overturned Mayor Oberoi’s postponement of the elections and directed the MCD Commissioner to hold the vote on September 27 at 1 pm. This order directly contradicted the mayor’s earlier decision to push the election to October 5, further intensifying the political standoff between the AAP-led MCD and the LG’s office.
The LG’s office has defended the decision as necessary for maintaining the smooth functioning of the MCD. However, AAP leaders argue that the LG’s directive undermines democratic processes and the authority of the elected MCD representatives, including Mayor Oberoi.
Chaos in Delhi Assembly
The Delhi MCD Mayor declaring committee polls illegal has reverberated through the political landscape of the capital, with tensions spilling over into the Delhi Assembly. On Friday, AAP MLAs staged protests in the Assembly, accusing the LG and MCD officials of undermining democracy and violating procedural norms.
Amidst the uproar, AAP MLA Dilip Pandey passionately addressed the Assembly, accusing the LG’s office of “murdering democracy” within the MCD. He pointed out that Mayor Oberoi had officially adjourned the MCD session and rescheduled the Standing Committee elections for October 5. According to Pandey, the LG’s decision to schedule the election on short notice, without consultation, goes against the principles of democratic governance.
“This is against democracy. An official has been made the presiding officer. Will a mere bureaucrat now run the Assembly?” Pandey exclaimed, referring to the LG’s move to appoint a bureaucrat to oversee the election. His comments reflect the growing frustration within AAP regarding the LG’s perceived interference in Delhi’s local governance.
Political Implications and the Road Ahead
As Delhi MCD Mayor declares committee polls illegal, the political landscape in Delhi is becoming increasingly fraught. The standing committee election, typically a routine process, has now become a flashpoint of larger political battles between the AAP government and the LG’s office. This standoff has also raised important questions about the balance of power in Delhi’s unique governance structure, where the LG holds significant authority but the AAP has a strong electoral mandate.
The MCD Standing Committee holds considerable influence over the municipal body’s financial and administrative matters, making this election particularly crucial. For the AAP, maintaining control over this committee is vital to their governance agenda in Delhi. The decision to postpone the election to October 5 was seen as an effort to ensure fairness and transparency in the voting process, while the LG’s insistence on holding it earlier has fueled allegations of political interference.
Conclusion
The Delhi MCD Mayor declaring committee polls illegal has escalated tensions between the Aam Aadmi Party and the Lieutenant Governor’s office, raising concerns about the democratic functioning of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. With AAP boycotting the elections if they are held on September 27, and legal action looming, the standoff shows no signs of abating.
As the political conflict unfolds, the residents of Delhi will be watching closely to see how this power struggle impacts the governance of their city. Whether the election takes place on September 27 or is postponed to October 5, this ongoing dispute has highlighted the fragile balance of power in Delhi’s local administration.
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