News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/6th August 2024
A recent Supreme Court ruling has set the stage for an intense confrontation between Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). On Monday, the court determined that the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) of Delhi possesses the authority to nominate aldermen to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) without needing to consult the Delhi government. This decision marks a significant shift in Delhi’s civic governance landscape.
For the first time, Delhi’s civic administration might see a scenario where the AAP controls the MCD’s day-to-day operations, while the BJP exerts control over its financial matters. The Delhi Municipal Corporation Act of 1957 allows the L-G to appoint up to ten aldermen to the MCD. These individuals, who must be over 25, are chosen for their expertise in municipal management and their achievements in areas like health, education, sanitation, and environmental issues. Historically, aldermen have been long-serving figures who assist in making crucial public decisions.
The nomination process has been fraught with controversy. The AAP perceives it as a maneuver by the BJP to retain influence over the MCD despite its electoral losses. After the current L-G, VK Saxena, appointed ten aldermen all affiliated with the BJP, the AAP contested this in the Supreme Court. They argued that such nominations should require consultation with the Delhi government. However, the court upheld the L-G’s authority to make these appointments independently.
While MCD aldermen do not have voting rights on general issues, they do play a role in electing members to the standing committee, a key 18-member body responsible for managing the corporation’s finances. Aldermen also vote in the elections for ward committees, which are essential for local governance. This ruling could expedite the formation of these committees, which have been delayed for a year due to political deadlock.
Ward committee elections will occur across MCD’s 12 zones, with elected councillors voting to fill key positions, including chairperson and deputy chairperson. Each ward committee will elect one member to the standing committee, which will then be completed with votes from the aldermen and the remaining councillors. The strategic placement of aldermen by the L-G carries significant implications.
For instance, in the Narela Zone, the four nominated aldermen could create a tie in standing committee elections, potentially tipping the balance with the support of an Independent councillor. In the Civil Lines zone, the BJP’s advantage is bolstered by four aldermen, providing them with a one-vote edge over the AAP. In the Central zone, the BJP’s two nominees could help them surpass the AAP, aided by possible support from Congress councillors.
The BJP also holds sway in several wards such as Keshavpuram, Najafgarh, and Shahdara South, while the AAP dominates areas like Rohini and West Delhi. The standing committee’s composition will be critical, as it controls financial management and policy-making for the MCD. If dominated by opposition members, the standing committee could significantly impact the governance of Delhi.
The upcoming election of the standing committee chairperson will be pivotal. This committee’s decisions on financial and town planning matters could either facilitate or hinder the functioning of the MCD, depending on its composition. The Supreme Court’s ruling has thus intensified the political stakes in Delhi’s civic administration, promising a dramatic showdown between the AAP and the BJP.
