Chaos in MC House as Oppn protests late arrival of Mayor, waterlogging

New Delhi, August 21

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) House descended into chaos on Wednesday as Opposition councillors protested Mayor Shelly Oberoi’s late arrival and voiced their concerns over waterlogging in the city and the postponement of the mayoral elections. The disruptions significantly delayed the proceedings of the session, which was supposed to begin at 2 pm, but started over 50 minutes late.

As soon as the Mayor arrived at 2.50 pm, Opposition councillors stormed into the Well of the House, raising slogans such as “Mayor Hai Hai” and “Corrupt Mayor Shame On You”. The session was adjourned twice, first for 15 minutes and then for 30 minutes, as the protests continued. In response, Oberoi suspended four BJP councillors — Gajendra Daral, Pankaj Luthra, Amit Nagpal and Ravindra Negi —further intensifying the tensions.

The protests, led by BJP and Congress councillors, primarily focused on waterlogging after recent rains, delay in the appointment of a Dalit mayor, the lack of proper garbage clearance and the pending formation of the standing committee. Heavy police presence was noted at the civic body office to manage the situation.

Police deployed

• The protests, led by BJP and Congress councillors, primarily focused on waterlogging after recent rains, delay in the appointment of a Dalit mayor, lack of proper garbage clearance and the pending formation of the standing committee
• Heavy police presence was noted at the civic body office to manage the situation
• The session, which was supposed to begin at 2 pm, started over 50 minutes late

Raja Iqbal Singh, Leader of the Opposition in the MCD, criticised the AAP and Mayor Oberoi’s handling of the session. “The attitude of AAP councillors and the Mayor during today’s meeting clearly indicated their lack of interest in running the session,” Singh stated. He pointed out that the House meets once a month to discuss public issues, but every time, due to the attitude of the AAP, the meeting ends without any results.

Lack of interest

The attitude of AAP councillors and the Mayor during today’s meeting clearly indicated their lack of interest in running the session. —Raja Iqbal Singh, Former Mayor

Singh raised concerns about the lack of funds for public development works, stating that the Delhi Government owes the corporation Rs 15,000 crore. “The Mayor has never demanded this amount from the government, which clearly indicates that AAP does not want to undertake any development work for the citizens,” he alleged.

Addressing the waterlogging issues, Singh accused AAP leaders of being engaged in corruption instead of addressing the city’s problems. Criticised the delay in the election of a Dalit Mayor, he said, “AAP’s reluctance reflects its anti-Dalit mentality.”

Regarding the suspension, Singh said, “This is completely unconstitutional because the BJP, being in the Opposition, is making the Mayor aware of her duties, but the Mayor is taking it personally and issuing orders for the suspension of BJP councillors.”