BJP wins unopposed vacant Municipal Corporation of Delhi Standing Committee seat

The BJP on Friday clinched the last vacant seat of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s 18-member Standing Committee unopposed as the councillors of the ruling AAP and Congress boycotted the election.

BJP councillor Sunder Singh Tanwar, representing Ward No. 158 (Bhati), won the election. Tanwar’s victory, with 115 votes, gives the BJP 10 members on the civic body’s highest decision-making panel, while the ruling AAP has only eight.

AAP candidate Nirmala Kumari received no votes as both AAP and Congress councillors boycotted the election, leaving their rows vacant in the House.

Tanwar got all 115 votes

• BJP councillor Sunder Singh Tanwar, representing Ward No. 158 (Bhati), won the election
• Tanwar’s victory, with 115 votes, gives the BJP 10 members on the civic body’s highest decision-making panel, while the AAP has only eight

‘Election unconstitutional and illegal’

The election has to be held in a meeting presided over by the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, or another councillor — not an Additional Commissioner. It is unconstitutional and illegal. — Shelly Oberoi, Mayor

The election, originally scheduled for Thursday, was postponed after AAP councillors protested against a rule banning mobile phones inside the voting hall. The rule, emphasised by the MCD Commissioner and MCD Secretary, aimed to maintain the “secrecy of the ballot”. The session was adjourned by MCD Mayor Shelly Oberoi until October 5 after a ruckus ensued.

However, in a twist late on Thursday night, Lieutenant-Governor VK Saxena directed the MCD Commissioner to ensure the elections were held without further delay. Despite the Mayor’s adjournment, MCD officials issued a notice at 10 pm on Thursday, rescheduling the election for Friday at 1 pm, with Additional Commissioner Jitender Yadav presiding over the vote.

The AAP opposed the rescheduling, calling the election “unconstitutional and illegal”. Addressing the media alongside AAP leader Manish Sisodia, Oberoi said, “This order is unconstitutional, null, void and illegal. The election would only be held on October 5, as previously announced.

Explaining her stance, Oberoi stated, “The MCD Commissioner’s order is in violation of both the DMC Act and the Delhi Municipal Corporation (Procedure & Conduct of Business) Regulations, 1958. The election has to be held in a meeting presided over by the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, or another councillor — not an additional commissioner.”

She further cited Regulation 51 and Section 76 of the DMC Act, noting that the power to fix the date, time and place for meetings lies solely with the Mayor. “Under no circumstances can any other person be appointed as the Presiding Officer, as has been sought in this order,” she said.

Oberoi criticised the lack of proper notice for the election, stating, “Most councillors did not receive the meeting notice in time, with many out of town after the session was adjourned. This short notice violates their electoral rights and the principles of natural justice.”