With the first two meetings of the newly-formed Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) ending without the mayoral polls being held, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Wednesday fixed February 6, as proposed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia for holding civic body House meeting for the election of Mayor, Deputy Mayor and the six members of the standing committee.
Meanwhile, AAP mayoral candidate Shelly Oberoi has filed a plea in the Supreme Court for the timely completion of the elections. The court is expected to hear the matter on February 3.
The AAP led Delhi government however has suggested earlier dates for the meeting -- February 3, 4 or 6. The MCD has proposed February 10. As per the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act provisions, only a 72-hour notice is required (to members participating in the House) to hold the meet. Officials said that the date had been proposed by the Delhi government.
The mayor could not be elected when the House met on January 6 and January 24 after the sessions were adjourned amid acrimonious exchanges between AAP and BJP councillors. The inaugural MCD House meeting on January 6 ended in pandemonium, with members creating a ruckus and exchanging blows over the issue of the oath-taking of 10 nominated members called alderman. The second meeting on January 24 also ended in a ruckus and adjournment before the mayoral elections could be initiated. The AAP and the BJP have blamed each other for the multiple disturbances in the House. The tussle between the Delhi lieutenant governor (L-G) and the ruling AAP further intensified on Thursday after Lt Governor appointed BJP councilor Satya Sharma as the presiding officer to elect the mayor of the MCD. Reacting to the appointment, the AAP accused the BJP of being hell-bent on destroying all democratic traditions and institutions. The nominees for the post of mayor are - Shelly Oberoi and Ashu Thakur (AAP), and Rekha Gupta (BJP). Oberoi is AAP's main contender.