Today, On 4th October, The Supreme Court questioned the Delhi Lieutenant Governor, asking, “What was the hurry?” regarding the controversial civic body panel election. The election for the 18th seat stirred significant political drama last week, with the BJP winning the seat after the AAP boycotted the poll and the Congress abstained.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court raised concerns over Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena’s “glaring hurry” in conducting last week’s election for the 18th and final seat of the city’s municipal corporation Standing Committee.
The Court stayed the voting process for electing a Chairman in the now BJP-controlled House.
A bench comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice R Mahadevan questioned the legal basis for the Lieutenant Governor’s decision to hold the election, which appeared to contravene established norms.
The court asked,
“Nomination issue is also there… Mayor (Shelly Oberoi of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party) is there to preside. Where do you (the LG) get the power?”
The judges also raised a broader concern, stating,
“What happens to democracy if you interfere like this? Is there politics in this too?” This question highlights the ongoing complaints the Supreme Court and other High Courts are dealing with concerning the actions of Governors in various states.
After raising these concerns, the Supreme Court asked Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to respond to a petition filed by Mayor Shelly Oberoi, who challenged the election of BJP’s Sundar Singh Tanwar to the Standing Committee.
The controversy surrounding the election for the 18th and final seat of the committee marked by intense political drama last week. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were locked in a fierce battle over the outcome.
Read Also: Delhi HC Closes Proceedings on DCPCR’s Funding Petition Against LG V K Saxena
Tensions escalated when the AAP boycotted the election, protesting against the Lieutenant Governor’s decision, while the Congress chose to abstain from voting.
As a result of these developments, the BJP secured the contested seat, giving it control of the Standing Committee. However, the AAP’s objections, along with Mayor Oberoi’s petition, have now brought the issue before the Supreme Court, which temporarily stayed the election process for selecting a Chairman for the committee.