BJP's Unconstitutional Move may Checkmate AAP (Delhi Mayor Row)

In the latest instalment of Aam Aadmi Party vs Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, the ruling party, cried foul over the appointment of a BJP leader to the post of acting Speaker ahead of the MCD mayor election. The decision by the L-G is likely to be a significant talking point as Delhi is set to get its new mayor toady.

AAP and BJP councillors clashed over the appointment of 10 aldermen by Lt Governor VK Saxena as the first meeting of the newly elected Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

The post of mayor in Delhi sees five single-year terms on a rotation basis, with the first year being reserved for women, second for open category, third for reserved category, and the remaining two also being in the open category.

The MCD House comprises 250 elected councillors. The BJP's seven Lok Sabha MPs from Delhi and the AAP's three Rajya Sabha MPs and 14 MLAs nominated by the Delhi Assembly Speaker will also participate in the elections to the posts of mayor and deputy mayor.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said it was 'unconstitutional' to let nominated councillors vote in the mayoral polls.

Adding to the row over order of oath-taking and the issue of aldermen was the appointment of the BJP's Satya Sharma as the presiding officer, an appointment that prompted another jab from AAP MLA Bharadwaj.
Which is why AAP MLA Atishi said the LG has not followed due process. She said he had asked the MCD commissioner to directly send the names of aldermen to him, bypassing the Delhi government. “

I urge the BJP to stop these dirty tricks. All the 10 aldermen are BJP workers. These aldermen will be part of different committees and impede the work of the civic body. The BJP should respect the people’s mandate of giving AAP the chance to run the MCD.