BJP's Sunder Singh wins Delhi MCD standing committee's last seat
What's the story
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Sunder Singh has emerged victorious in the election for the last vacant seat of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Standing Committee (MCD).
He secured 115 votes, while his opponent from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Nirmala Kumari, did not receive any votes.
The 18-member standing committee is the highest decision-making body within the MCD.
Panel composition
Election results increase BJP's representation in MCD
The election was necessitated following the elevation of BJP councilor Kamaljeet Sehrawat to the Lok Sabha as an MP from West Delhi earlier this year.
With Singh's victory, the BJP now has 10 members on this influential panel, while the ruling AAP has eight.
The elections were held without participation from the AAP and Congress councilors, who accused Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena of trying to conduct the civic body poll in an "illegal and unconstitutional" manner.
Election controversy
AAP labels MCD election 'illegal and unconstitutional'
"The BJP people had made MCD a den of loot. Everyone has seen their misdeeds during the mayoral elections in Chandigarh. Now they want to do the same in MCD," the AAP said before the result was announced.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi echoed these sentiments, stating that as per the MCD Act, only the mayor has power to convene House and be Presiding Officer.
Election dispute
Mayor declares MCD election results 'null and void'
Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi has declared the election results for the sixth member of the Standing Committee as "null and void."
She had postponed the election to October 5 following protests from councilors against security checks and a ban on mobile phones inside the chamber.
However, Lieutenant Governor Saxena later overturned this adjournment.
He further stated that if Oberoi refused to preside over it, then either the Deputy Mayor or the senior-most member should step in.