Delhi Civic Body Panel Election Turns Heated as AAP, BJP Trade Allegations

The election for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's (MCD) Scheduled Caste (SC) Welfare Committee on Thursday turned into a heated confrontation between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with both sides trading allegations of misconduct.

BJP candidates for the panel were ultimately declared unopposed. AAP councillors, however, alleged that the election was conducted in violation of rules, claiming it was advanced from its scheduled 3 pm time and held without their members present. They also contended that the number of seats on the committee was arbitrarily reduced from 35 to 21, a move they said was designed to ensure the BJP secured the chairperson and vice-chairperson posts.

AAP councillor and Leader of Opposition in the MCD, Ankush Narang, stated that the reduction in Dalit members on the committee was aimed at appointing the BJP's own office bearers. He said he had written to the MCD urging a postponement of the election and a restoration of the member count to 35, but the BJP proceeded regardless.

Following the declaration of results, AAP leaders protested at the Mayor's chamber, leading to a heated argument and a confrontation with security officials. During the commotion, AAP councillor Prem Chauhan tore his kurta in protest.

Delhi Mayor Pravesh Wahi countered the allegations, stating that AAP had failed to file a nomination form when the schedule was announced, which led to the BJP candidate being declared elected unopposed. He also accused AAP councillors of misbehaviour, criticising Chauhan's actions as indecent, particularly in front of women councillors.

Narang said AAP councillors would continue their fight for what they described as the rights of Delhi's Dalit community.