New Delhi: The Delhi civic centre on Friday witnessed huge chaos that broke out ahead of the voting for the Delhi Mayor election. However, the rift between the BJP and AAP led to the postponement of the elections and the swearing-in of elected councillors.
Here's How The Events Unfolded At The Civic Centre:
- Delhi LG Vinay Kumar Saxena on Thursday nominated BJP's Satya Sharma as the Presiding officer of the mayor elections.
- This irked AAP which had nominated Mukesh Goyal for the post and condemned LG's order.
- AAP said that senior most member is nominated as protem speaker but "BJP is hellbent on destroying all democratic traditions and institutions".
- On Friday, the session convened and Satya Sharma took oath as the protem speaker to conduct the voting for the mayor elections and the swearing-in of the councillors.
- She first called nominated councillors for oath taking which upset the Aam Aadmi Party.
- AAP argued that traditionally, elected members are called first for swearing-in. It alleged that the process is not constitutional at all.
- This created huge chaos including shouting, sloganeering, and scuffling between the members of the BJP and AAP.
- BJP MP Manoj Tiwari reacted to the chaos and said, "Why the AAP is scared...AAP has been defeated morally...does it think that its councillors won't be supporting their party?" quoted ANI.
- AAP councilor Praveen Kumar said, "BJP is doing hooliganism. Swearing-in of the nominated councillors was being held first. A ruckus broke out when we objected to it & asked that the swearing-in of elected councillors should be held first. They (BJP) threw a moment."
- BJP MP and Union Minister Meenakashi Lekhi said, "All the ruckus is started by AAP leaders. This is because they are unaware of the rules. When they are in majority, why are they afraid? AAP MPs do the same in Rajya Sabha as well."
- Reacting to the entire incident, Presiding Officer Satya Sharma said, "I appealed for the normal proceedings but they want to create a ruckus & climbed the desk. If they sit peacefully, we are ready for the swearing-in of everybody."
- When the house could not manage the proceedings, protem Speaker Satya Sharma adjourned the house and postponed the mayor elections as well as the swearing-in of elected councillors.
- She said that four nominated councillors took oaths which will remain valid and the rest of the proceedings will take place on the next sitting of the MCD house.