SC notice to L-G on Delhi govt’s plea against appointment of aldermen in MCD

The Supreme Court issued a notice to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Wednesday in response to the Delhi government’s petition challenging the L-appointment G’s of ‘aldermen’ in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) house.

The matter was scheduled for hearing on April 10 by a bench consisting of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala. Following the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) victory in the municipal elections, the Lieutenant Governor appointed ten aldermen who were opposed by the Delhi government.

The Delhi government petitioned for the revocation of the orders dated January 3 and 4, by which the Lieutenant Governor nominated ten people to the MCD.

According to the petition, the Lieutenant Governor “illegally” appointed 10 nominated members to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi on his own initiative, rather than with the assistance and advice of the Council of Ministers.

According to the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government, this is the first time since Article 239AA went into effect in 1991 that such a nomination has been made by the Lieutenant Governor completely bypassing the elected government, thereby arrogating to an unelected office power that belongs to the duly elected government.

It sought a directive “to nominate members to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi under Section 3(3)(b)(i) of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, with the assistance and advice of the Council of Ministers.”