Delhi CM Atishi Calls MCD Elections Illegal and Unconstitutional

New Delhi [India], September 28: Delhi Chief Minister Atishi launched a strong criticism against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday, calling the recent MCD standing committee elections held on Friday as “illegal, unconstitutional, and undemocratic.”

Violation of the Municipal Corporation Act

Atishi read out the Municipal Corporation Act of 1957, emphasizing that only the mayor has the power to call an election. She stated, “The MCD election that the BJP has carried out is illegal, unconstitutional, and undemocratic. Our nation runs with the Constitution and with the rules laid out in the Constitution.”

She further explained that the act clearly states that the election should happen in the Corporation’s meeting, and only the mayor can decide the time, place, and date of the meeting. If the mayor is absent, the deputy mayor should preside over the meeting.

Controversial Election

On Friday, BJP’s Sunder Singh won the election for the MCD standing committee. AAP had raised strong objections, but the elections were held in the presence of Additional Commissioner Jitendra Yadav, who was made the Presiding Officer in the absence of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. AAP did not participate in the elections.

Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi had directed the MCD Commissioner to proceed with the election for the sixth member of the Standing Committee on October 5. Atishi argued that the LG or the commissioner does not have the power to call for an election, yet the order by the LG was followed and carried out by the commissioner.

Legal Action and Challenges

Atishi vowed to take the matter to the Supreme Court, stating, “We will definitely go to the Supreme Court and a petition will be filed in the Supreme Court today because the election that the BJP conducted in the House yesterday is completely illegal.”

Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi also expressed concern about the recent order issued by the MCD Commissioner, stating that the scheduled election of the Standing Committee member at 1 pm is considered illegal and unconstitutional. She challenged the BJP to face AAP in fresh elections, saying, “If you have the guts then face AAP in the elections. If you want to do MCD elections, then dissolve it, then let the Delhi’s public decide who they want.”