Chaos erupts at MCD House session over 'no phones' rule during standing committee election

A ruckus broke out during the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) House session on Thursday as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillors protested against the enforcement of a 'no phones' rule ahead of the election for a vacant standing committee seat.

The rule prohibited councillors from carrying phones or other electronic gadgets into the House to ensure the secrecy of the ballot.

While BJP councillors complied with the rule and filled their seats inside the House, AAP councillors refused to part with their phones, staging a protest outside the hall and raising slogans. Congress councillors, meanwhile, were absent from the proceedings, having announced earlier in the day that they would not attend the election.

As tensions escalated, Mayor Shelly Oberoi entered the House and adjourned the session for 15-20 minutes. "It is an insult to the councillors," she remarked. "Physical frisking is being conducted, and these are all public representatives. This is hurting their dignity, sentiment, and even their freedom. This is wrong, and it goes against the principles of democracy. This has never happened. I direct the MCD secretary and commissioner to allow entry without physical checks."

After the Mayor’s departure, MCD Commissioner Ashwini Kumar emphasized the importance of the rule, stating, "Secrecy of the ballot is very important. It is written in law, so it is my humble request to all councillors to abide by this rule. Phones and other electronic gadgets are prohibited here."

The session is expected to resume after the adjournment, with the election of the Standing Committee member still pending.