Lok Sabha Passes MCD Bill 2022, Amit Shah Says Don't Want Power By Killing Workers Of Opposition

Moving the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Bill 2022, Amit Shah also pointed out that since Delhi is a UT, the Government of India has the right to bring any legislation relating to it.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah tables MCD Bill 2022 in Lok Sabha. (Image: Sansad TV)

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Bill 2022 which proposes the reunification of three municipal corporations of Delhi to make it an integrated and well-equipped entity.

While tabling the MCD Bill 2022 in Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Bill is as per the Constitution and it is absolutely a Constitutional Bill.

He also pointed out that since Delhi is a Union Territory (UT), the Government of India has the right to bring any legislation relating to it.

"I would like to tell you that this Bill is as per the Constitution and it is absolutely a Constitutional Bill. Since Delhi is a Union Territory Govt of India has the right to bring any legislation relating to it," the Home Minister said.

HM Shri @AmitShah's reply on The Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 in Lok Sabha.
https://t.co/YAk3FGtRIW

— BJP (@BJP4India) March 30, 2022

Being the country's capital, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament, Prime Minister's Office, central secretariats, among other important offices, are in Delhi and carrying out civic services is very important here, Shah said urging the House to consider Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 rising above party politics.

"Talks being held about rights of states. CM Kejriwal speaks the same...I can't bring such a Bill for Maharashtra, Gujarat, or Bengal. Neither I nor Centre can do it in states. But if you don't know the difference between state and UT, I think Constitution needs to be studied again," he said further.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has slammed Centre's move to bring the bill a month before the elections to the three municipal corporations, claiming it was an attempt by the BJP to delay the polls as it feared defeat.

Furthermore, Shah also said that this MCD Bill 2022 is within the powers vested into the Parliament as per Section 239 AA of the Constitution.

Hitting out at Delhi government, Amit Shah said that only those who fear the loss of power can be objecting to this. 

"Advocates of democracy can never object to it. We want to contest and win elections on the basus of our program, ideology, popularity of our leaders and our performance," he said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader further said: "We don't want to come to power by killing the workers of Opposition. We don't want this through a series of murders. We don't want this by raping the wives and sisters of workers. This is not our culture." 

Shah pointed out that there are also amendments in the bill to ensure that the corporation is run with transparency and efficiency, and it also limits the number of councillors to 250.

BJP Not Feared Of MCD Polls: Amit Shah

"Those who are saying that elections (MCD polls) have been postponed due to fear of polls, themselves are scared. If you are so confident of the victory then why do you want elections right now? If you have done good work, you will win 6 months later too," he said.

"I'll tell you what's done when polls are feared. Allahabad HC had cancelled the election of Indira Gandhi. Soon after, a PM, that didn't have right to vote in this House, snatched away democratic rights in the country and imposed Emergency. That's fear," Shah added further.

All About Municipal Corporation Of Delhi 

While BJP has been in power at the MCD for the last 15 years, AAP claims to have a strong chance of winning it from the saffron party stating that the people of Delhi are fed up with BJP.

The MCD Bill 2022 seeks to unify the three municipal corporations - North, South and East Delhi - into a single, integrated and well-equipped entity. Centre has also claimed that the bill will ensure a robust mechanism for synergised and strategic planning and optimal utilisation of resources.