LG nominees to MCD may lead to face-off between AAP, Centre

With the power structure in the unified Municipal Corporation of Delhi MCD) becoming clearer after the Union government notified zonal boundaries, the Delhi government and the Centre appeared to be headed towards a conflict over the right to nominate 10 members, or Aldermen, to the House.

- Paras Singh

The AAP, which won 134 wards in the civic polls, runs the government in the city-state. The BJP, which finished at 104 seats, is in power at the Centre and appoints the lieutenant governor L-G) who has power over certain aspects of the Capital’s administration.

The 10 nominated members do not enjoy voting rights in mayoral elections for the House, but can play an important role in the elections to the powerful Standing Committee a panel that clears all policies and proposals before they are considered by the House in their capacity as members of ward committees.

How the system works

MCD has 12 zones with a ward committee each. These ward committees are made up of all the councillors from the wards that fall under a particular zone. These were introduced under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, to decentralise power, and take important administrative decisions at the zonal level.

Besides the councillors, the nominated members are also members of these committees. Under the DMC Act, the nominees have voting rights in the ward committee, and can influence decision-making.

Role in choosing Standing Committee