Delhi Mayor Election: LG VK Saxena Approves Proposal To Convene Adjourned First Meeting Of MCD On Feb 22

Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena approved the proposal to reconvene the MCD's adjourned first meeting on February 22 for the election of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and six members to the Standing Committee.

Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena on Saturday approved the proposal to convene the adjourned first meeting of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi on February 22 for the election of Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and six members to the Standing Committee, news agency ANI reported. 

Differences between the AAP and the BJP over voting rights and the election process had stalled the mayor elections, even as three MCD House sittings were adjourned amid a ruckus.

This comes only hours after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that he has proposed lieutenant governor VK Saxena organise a mayoral election on February 22 after three previous attempts failed. The proposal was expected after a Supreme Court order on Friday paved the path for the mayoral election to take place.

"Recommended MCD Mayor elections on Feb 22," Kejriwal tweeted.

Hearing a petition filed by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party's mayoral candidate Shelly Oberoi, the Supreme Court ordered the issuance of a notice within 24 hours for convening the first meeting of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to set the date for elections for mayor, deputy mayor, and standing committee members.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud stated that the mayor must be elected promptly because the lack of mayoral elections in the national capital does not look good. The top court further stated that nominated aldermen are not allowed to vote in mayoral elections and that if a mayor is elected, she will preside over elections for the deputy mayor and the six members of the standing committee.

Kejriwal welcomed the Supreme Court order over the Delhi mayor elections as a "victory of democracy".

"SC’s order is the victory of democracy. I thank the Supreme Court; Delhi will now get a mayor after two and a half months. It has been proven in court that the LG and the BJP are regularly passing illegal and unconstitutional orders in Delhi," Kejriwal tweeted.

Later today, the chief minister accused L-G of attempting to block the Delhi government from submitting its case before the Supreme Court, claiming interference in the administration of justice.