Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, has proposed that the mayoral election be held on February 22. This recommendation came after the Supreme Court ordered the convening of the first meeting of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) within 24 hours to determine the election date for the mayor, deputy mayor, and members of the Standing Committee.
The court also stated that members appointed by the Lt Governor to the MCD cannot vote to elect the mayor, which is a boost for the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) Act, 1957 stipulates that the mayor and deputy mayor are elected during the first session of the House after civic polls. However, Delhi has yet to elect a mayor more than two months after the December 4 municipal elections.
The previous three attempts to elect the mayor were unsuccessful due to disputes between AAP and BJP councillors regarding the voting rights of the nominated members. The first meeting of the new MCD House was adjourned on January 6th after clashes between AAP and BJP members. Kejriwal has recommended a new date for the mayoral election to be held.
The AAP, which holds the majority in the 250-member House with 134 councillors, has alleged that the saffron party is trying to steal its mandate by giving voting rights to the nominated members. The BJP won 104 wards to finish second.
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