How ward committee polls tip balance in MCD
NEW DELHI: With the BJP securing a majority of the ward committees within the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the political balance within the civic body has shifted in favour of the saffron party.
The Standing Committee, the crucial body within the MCD holding more influence than the MCD House itself, comprises 18 councillors, six of whom are directly elected from the MCD House, while the remaining twelve are selected from the city’s twelve municipal zones.
This structure ensures that each of the zones in the national capital is represented in the Committee, making its decisions comprehensive and inclusive of diverse
After Wednesday’s election, the equation in the MCD Standing Committee now stands at nine members from the BJP, eight from the AAP, while one seat remaining vacant. The election for the vacant seat remains pending.
If the BJP manages to win this seat as well, it could wield significant influence over financial and administrative decisions of the civic body, challenging the authority of the ruling AAP dispensation. Such a shift could potentially spark a new power struggle in Delhi’s political landscape. At the same time, if the AAP manages to secure the seat, a stalemate would ensue in the Standing Committee with both parties with nine members, requiring the drawing of lots to elect the committee’s chairman.
The Committee’s role is pivotal as it is responsible for the initial scrutiny and approval of proposals. Only those proposals that pass through the Standing Committee can be presented to the MCD House for further consideration. This gives considerable power to the Standing Committee, often surpassing that of the Mayor.
The Committee chairperson, elected from among its members, holds extensive powers and often has more functional influence than the Mayor, despite the latter being the official head of the MCD.
The election of the six members from the MCD House to the Standing Committee is conducted through a proportional representation system, requiring each candidate to secure at least 38 preference votes. These members serve a two-year term, with three members retiring each year.
The current ward committee elections mark the first since the MCD was unified in 2022, following a long delay.
One Standing Commitee seat yet to be filled
After the ward committee elections on Wednesday, the equation in the MCD Standing Committee now stands at nine members from the BJP, eight from the AAP, while one seat remaining vacant. The election for the vacant seat remains pending.
What this could imply for AAP, BJP
If the BJP manages to win this seat, it could wield significant influence over MCD’s financial and administrative decisions, while in case of AAP victory, a stalemate would ensue in the Standing Committee, requiring draw of lots to elect the committee chairman.