The BJP’s refusal to form the Government in Delhi is no end to the uncertainty hovering over the sitting councillors who have been elected to Delhi Assembly.
The laid rules require the newly-elected MlAs to resign from either of the legislative bodies within 14 days of formation of the Assembly.
The Election Commission had on Tuesday issued notification for the 5th Delhi legislative Assembly. Five BJP councillors have been elected to the Assembly this time as also Independent councillor Vinod Kumar Binny has been elected to the House on AAP symbol.
These MlAs, all of them being first-timers, are in a state of fix whether to continue as legislators and go to the polls again. In such a case, they will have to quit their seats in the Municipal Corporations.
The BJP MlA and leader of House in North Delhi Municipal Corporation, Dr Mahendra Nagpal said he was awaiting instructions from the party high command and he would act accordingly. The situation is uncertain; though, he said, the party would soon take a call on membership of these leaders. “As per the rules, we have to quit from either of the two legislative bodies by December 24. We are waiting for party’s instructions,” said Nagpal.
However, some other newly elected leaders said they were willing to continue as members of the legislative Assembly as they have already had a long stint in the local bodies and also they have occupied major offices in the civic bodies. “The party had entrusted the councillors with the responsibility to represent BJP in the Assembly. It will be unjust to resign from the membership of Assembly, which got a fractured mandate. We are hopeful to retain our seats if Delhi goes for re-election,” said another MlA, who is also a senior corporator.
Two BJP MlAs —Mahendra Nagpal and Ram Kishan Singhal — are currently members of the North Delhi Corporation (NMC); two others — Rajesh Gehlot and Anil Sharma — belong to the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC). Apart from Nagpal, Singhal is currently the Chairman of Standing Committee in North Delhi Corporation. Rajesh Gehlot is also the chairman of standing committee in South Delhi civic body while Sharma, former Deputy Mayor of unified MCD, is a councillor in SDMC.
Another councillor Jitender Singh Shunty was elected as MlA from Shahdara Assembly segment on BJP symbol while Independent councillor Binny defeated Congress’ AK Walia from laxmi Nagar seat to become a legislator.
As per the constitutional provisions, as soon as the results for the Assembly polls are declared and election certificates are given to the newly elected members, the Assembly’s new House is deemed to have come
into existence.
However, the members of the House are given 14 days’ time to resign from the membership of the either the Assembly or the legislative body to which he continues to be a member.