NEW DELHI: After the Supreme Court on Monday upheld the L-G’s right to nominate aldermen to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the AAP said the verdict is unfortunate and against the spirit of democracy. The party said the remarks by the Supreme Court bench during the hearing were contrary to the decision.
On January 4, 2023, L-G nominated 10 aldermen. The decision was challenged by the AAP government on the ground that the nominations were made without advice of the council of ministers. “By bypassing an elected government, the rights are being given to the L-G, so he can run Delhi with his diktat.
This is not right for democracy and the Constitution. Therefore, I respectfully disagree with the Supreme Court decision. This is unfortunate and against the spirit of democracy,” said AAP MP Sanjay Singh.
“Last year, the Supreme Court had said vesting the power to nominate aldermen to the MCD upon the L-G would mean he could destabilise the elected municipal body,” Singh contended.
Singh said, in other states too, governors approves the names, but he does so on recommendations by the government. “In other states, there are nominated members, but the elected government sends their names for approval.”