Delhi: AAP To Boycott MCD Standing Committee Election, Calls It 'Illegal'

The Aam Aadmi Party will boycott the election for the last remaining seat on the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's Standing Committee today

AAP Leader Manish Sisodia and Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi (Image: AAP)

Source : (Source:X)

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday said it will not participate in the election for the last remaining seat on the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)’s Standing Committee, scheduled to be held at 1 pm today. The ruling party in Delhi accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP_ and Lieutenant Governor VK Sexana of trying to conduct the civic body poll in an "illegal and unconstitutional" manner.

Addressing a joint press conference with Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi, former Deputy Chief Minister and AAP leader Manish Sisodia said that MCD is an elected body, and the presidency of an elected body should be held by an elected representative. 

BREAKING | आज स्टैंडिंग कमेटी चुनाव में हिस्सा नहीं लेगी AAP@akhileshanandd | | https://t.co/smwhXURgtc #MCD #StandingCommitteElection #AAP #LatestNews pic.twitter.com/1YL9huRaxN

— ABP News (@ABPNews) September 27, 2024

After a high-voltage drama last night, LG Saxena has ordered the election for the last remaining seat on the MCD’s Standing Committee will be held at 1 pm on Friday. As per the order issued by Municipal Commissioner Ashwani Kumar, Additional Municipal Commissioner Jitender Yadav has been appointed as a presiding officer of the MCD House meeting to conduct polls. In case, the deputy mayor also refuses, the senior most member of the House will preside over the elections, the order said. 

Announcing AAP's decision to stay away from polls, Sisodia said, "The mayor made efforts to conduct the long-overdue standing committee election throughout the day without success. She then used her powers to schedule a new date for the elections. However, the LG ordered the commissioner to ensure the elections took place by 10 PM, even if the mayor or deputy mayor were not present."

"They even want to conduct the election in the presence of the additional commissioner. How is this possible? The MCD is an elected body, and the presidency of an elected body should be held by an elected representative, such as the mayor or deputy mayor," he added.