In a dramatic turn of events, Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi has declared the upcoming election for the Standing Committee member, scheduled by the MCD Commissioner, as “illegal.” In a formal letter to the Commissioner, Oberoi stated that the election set for Friday is “unconstitutional” and “invalid.” She has instructed the MCD Commissioner to proceed with the election for the sixth member of the Standing Committee on October 5 instead.
This contentious election has gained considerable attention due to the ongoing political strife within the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Currently, five members of the Standing Committee have been elected, and the impending vote is crucial for finalizing the committee’s composition.
The situation escalated on Thursday when disruptions occurred over the frisking of councillors, leading Oberoi to postpone the elections until October 5. However, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena intervened, reversing the postponement and directing MCD Commissioner Ashwani Kumar to conduct the election on Friday at 1 PM.
In response, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia announced that the party would boycott the election if it proceeded on Friday. Mayor Oberoi reiterated her stance that the election should only take place on October 5, emphasizing that AAP may consider legal action if the election occurs as ordered by the Lieutenant Governor.
Amidst the unfolding chaos, AAP MLAs staged protests in the Delhi Assembly, voicing their dissent against the alleged forced conduct of the MCD Standing Committee elections. The protest led to a brief adjournment of the Assembly session for 15 minutes.
AAP MLA Dilip Pandey took to the floor, asserting that “democracy is being murdered” within the MCD. He highlighted that Mayor Oberoi had previously adjourned the MCD session and scheduled the next meeting for October 5, but the LG’s late-night letter demanding the election by 10 AM the following day contradicted this decision. “This is against democracy. An official has been made the presiding officer. Will a mere bureaucrat now run the Assembly?” Pandey questioned, expressing deep concern over the undermining of democratic processes.
As tensions rise, all eyes will be on the MCD and the unfolding political drama in the coming days, particularly regarding the fate of the Standing Committee elections.
