In a decisive political tussle, the Bharatiya Janata Party, that is, bagged an easy victory in the Delhi Municipal Corporation’s Standing Committee election as both Aam Aadmi Party and Congress refrained themselves from contesting it. BJP’s nominee Sundar Singh Tanwar grabbed the unopposed seat along with 115 votes-all of which are BJP councillors-which confirmed that 10 seats out of 18 went to the BJP and the party is now likely to head key financial decisions within the committee.
Elections took place amidst tension as AAP, with its 125 councillors in majority boycotted the poll terming it illegal due to non-giving of 72 hours notice prior to the house proceedings. Congress, which held nine seats, also abstained thereby tightening the grip of BJP in the positions. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia raised their voices on procedural malpractices.
Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena called the election late on Thursday night itself, which the AAP termed political manipulation. AAP’s Mayor Shelly Oberoi also said that the election was unconstitutional. However, the BJP is firmly in the grip of the Standing Committee, an important body controlling municipal finances and administrative decisions in Delhi.
This is likely to raise the heat in the already raging power struggle between the BJP and AAP at the level of civic administration of Delhi, and can only be followed by more developments once AAP initiates legal action against the electoral process.
This decision has also raised the question of boycott by AAP at the election as had it participated, it would have won this seat very easily, as the party has a numerical advantage. AAP leaders have hinted that they will approach the court for legal action against this election’s validity.
That this victory adds yet another layer complicating the already power play between AAP and BJP in Delhi is a fact. At best, the present scenario unfolds with the powers-that-be of the Delhi government under AAP and those of the central government represented by the Lieutenant Governor locked in a fierce battle. The victory helped strengthen the hold of BJP over Delhi’s municipal governance further, making it possible for the party to dictate decisions that would significantly affect the financial operations of the city.
BJP would have a good control over the Standing Committee and thereby play a vital role in shaping the course of future programmes for municipal projects, budgeting, and resource allocation in the capital. As the political scenario unfolds further development is awaited particularly on AAP’s legal challenge to the election process.
