Delhi: MCD election for standing committee postponed amid protest over mobile phone ban

New Delhi (India) September 27 (ANI): The election for the standing committee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) was postponed on Thursday as the house meeting was adjourned, following protest by AAP councillors against the decision to ban mobile phones in the house.

Earlier in the day, following the directions of Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, MCD Commissioner Ashwani Kumar wrote to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, urging them to take immediate action to conduct the election for the sixth member of the Standing Committee.

The letter from the MCD commissioner read, “Kindly take immediate action for conducting the election for the sixth member of the Standing Committee and for complying with the said directions of Hon’ble LG.”

LG Saxena has directed to conduct the elections by 10 pm on Thursday.

“In case the Mayor is unavailable or refuses to preside over the meeting than the deputy mayor may be requested to preside over the meeting. In case both are unwilling or unavailable, then the senior most member in order of seniority may be requested to discharge this function,” LG wrote in the letter.

The election was scheduled for 2 PM but was adjourned by Mayor Shelly Oberoi until October 5 due to the protests from AAP councillors.

AAP councillors opposed the decision to ban mobile phones during the election process. Tensions escalated when Delhi Police attempted to prevent councillors from bringing their phones into the assembly, sparking significant protests outside as AAP members began sloganeering.

AAP’s Mukesh Goyal, while speaking to ANI, criticised the BJP and demanded “respectfully” let the AAP councillor enter the house.

“The council was established in 1958 but the councillors never faced any issue like that but today our councillors are being searched before entering the house like we are some history sheeter, we are being disrespected and this is why we are protesting. Our councillor will go inside without being searched. Our women councillor is also being searched this is wrong, we are protesting against it,” Mukesh Goyal said.

The election was to be held to fill the sole vacancy in the 18-member Standing Committee, that was vacant after BJP councillor Kamaljeet Sehrawat resigned following her election to the Lok Sabha from the West Delhi parliamentary seat earlier this year.

The MCD has completed elections for 17 out of 18 members of its high-powered standing committee, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) securing eight seats and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) winning nine.

The formation of this committee is crucial for approving key financial proposals that have been pending for the past 20 months. The committee plays a vital role in decision-making, and its composition will significantly impact the city’s financial and administrative landscape.