Delhi mayoral election: SC seeks replies from Lieutenant Governor, MCD on AAP’s plea

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a notice to the office of Delhi Governor VK Saxen, Delhi Municipal Council (MCD) interim chairman Satya Sharma and others on a plea filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) mayoral candidate Shelly Oberoi. premature holding of mayoral elections to the civic association.

A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwal issued the returnable notices on February 13. “We have several objections, including the interim MCD chairman's insistence on holding elections for mayor, deputy mayor and standing committee members at once. This is against the Municipal Corporations of Delhi Act,” senior advocate AM Singhvi argued before the bench, adding that the House had been convened thrice but no mayoral election was held.

The matter was mentioned before the court on Tuesday seeking an expedited hearing and the apex court agreed to hear it on Wednesday. Oberoi moved the high court after the February 6 MCD mayoral election could not be held.

The AAP candidate had also earlier moved the apex court. However, after the mayoral election was announced on February 6, the request was withdrawn. On February 3, the Supreme Court noted that the mayoral election had been announced and gave Oberoi freedom to return on any grievance. Elections for the MCD mayoral election could not be held thrice - the latest on February 6 - with the BJP and AAP accusing each other of delaying the elections and the bone of contention being the appointment of councilors and their voting rights in the House. On February 6, the AAP said it would move the Supreme Court so that mayoral elections could be held judicially after a third attempt to elect a mayor failed.

Earlier on February 6, the mayor could not be elected due to an uproar after presiding officer Satya Sharma said that councilors nominated by the lieutenant governor (LG) would vote in the election. The first two sessions of the MCD House - held on January 6 and January 24 - were adjourned by the Speaker following ruckus and heated exchanges between BJP and AAP members. Municipal elections were held in the national capital on December 4 last year and have been for more than two months now, while the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) Act, 1957 says that the mayor and deputy mayor are to be elected in the first instance. session of the Chamber of Deputies after the civic polls.