Arvind Kejriwal raises concerns on Standing Committee elections

New Delhi [India], September 27, (ANI): Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday during an interaction with the media raised strong objections to Delhi’s LG V.K Saxena’s order on conducting the election for the lone vacancy in the MCD Standing Committee.

Kejriwal argued that the MCD laws clearly state that the authority to convene a session lies solely with the Mayor, and neither the Lieutenant Governor (LG) nor the Commissioner can do so.

“I am surprised that the MCD has clearly stated in the law that only the Mayor has the right to call the corporation’s sitting and the Southern’s sitting. No one else has the right. LG Sir cannot call it. The Commissioner cannot call it. Only the Mayor can call it.” he said.

He further pointed out that the law mandates a 72-hour notice period before any session, allowing councillors adequate time to prepare. He blamed those involved for attempting to rush the election process had ulterior motives.

“Their intentions seem questionable. There appears to be a conspiracy to manipulate the situation,” he added.

He further, said that the Mayor had written a letter to the Commissioner, calling today’s election illegal and unconstitutional, urging for its cancellation.

The order of the MCD said that the election for the lone vacancy in the Standing Committee by the Corporation was scheduled for September 26 at 2:00 pm; whereas, the said election was not conducted and the meeting was adjourned to October 5 by Mayor Shelly Oberoi on the special ground that the councillors be allowed to carry mobile phones inside the voting hall/polling booth.

Meanwhile, Addressing the issue of broken roads in the capital, Kejriwal said that all legislators and ministers would participate in the inspection, and repairs of roads within the next 2-3 days as he called for city-wide assessment of roads.

Delhi CM Atishi along with former Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday had inspected road conditions. The former CM assured residents that the halted work would resume, referencing the delay that occurred during his recent jail term.