MCD House in Chaos Again as Power Tussle Continues

Torn papers of policy proposals adorned the dais at the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) house of councilors meeting on Tuesday, as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) grappled over the legality of the session and the AAP's maneuver to move two key proposals advocating for large-scale property tax waivers and regularization of thousands of contractual staff.

- Paras Singh

NEW DELHI:

There was utter chaos as members rushed to snatch the microphones; as the AAP passed two private member resolutions through voice vote, the BJP hastened to raise slogans against the former.

Mayor Mahesh Kumar Khinchi (AAP) said: "We have passed proposal to regularise all contractual workers in MCD. Secondly, as per our promise to people, we have passed the proposal to waive entire house tax on properties up to 100 guz while it will be halved for 100-500 guz houses... BJP opposed these proposals and engaged in ruckus due to which house had to be adjourned. Our promises to employees and house tax relaxations have been fulfilled."

Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Raja Iqbal Singh termed the session "unethical and illegal", citing the absence of municipal commissioner and opposition members.

He alleged that the quorum of the house was not complete and the party has urged the commissioner to intervene and declare the house meeting illegal and void.