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regular-article-logo Saturday, 08 June 2024
Mayor Shelly Oberoi declares one vote invalid

Ruckus inside Delhi civic body as physical fight breaks out between AAP, BJP councillors

At least 242 of the 250 councillors in the AAP-run civic body voted to select six members to the MCD's standing committee

PTI New Delhi Published 24.02.23, 07:53 PM
 Councillors raise slogans during the election of members of the MCD Standing Committee, at the Civic Centre in New Delhi

Councillors raise slogans during the election of members of the MCD Standing Committee, at the Civic Centre in New Delhi PTI picture

A fight broke out in the MCD House as BJP and AAP members kicked, punched and pushed one another amid shouting after Mayor Shelly Oberoi declared one vote invalid in the election to six members of a key municipal committee on Friday.

One councillor, Ashok Manu, collapsed amid the chaos and he was rushed to a nearby hospital.

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AAP MLA Atishi alleged that BJP members got agitated and attacked the Delhi mayor when they sensed their party would lose the election.

BJP councillor Pankaj Luthra alleged that it was AAP's fault that led to the chaos. He is one of the candidates for the standing committee election.

In a video, Aam Aadmi Party and BJP councillors are seen hurling water bottles and apples at each other inside the House. In another video, women councillors are seen hitting each other on the floor of the House.

The election process for the six members of the Standing Committee began at around 11 am and concluded at 2:30 pm. The counting began 10 minutes later.

The counting process went on for more than two hours. Mayor Shelly Oberoi asked members that result will be declared without the invalid vote, a move that was opposed by BJP members.

The mayor's decision led to the House descending into a chaos as councillors from the BJP and the AAP started pushing one another amid shouting. In a video, a few councillors were seen with their kurtas torn.

"One side is ready for recounting, while the other side is not. That is why I'm not recounting. The result is being declared without the invalid vote," said Shelly Oberoi, the AAP leader who was elected Mayor earlier this week after over a two-month delay.

At least 242 of the 250 councillors in the AAP-run civic body voted to select six members to the MCD's standing committee, a powerful body that decides how funds are to be used and on what projects, reports PTI.

After she declared one vote invalid, Ms Oberoi came under the firing line of angry BJP councillors, who shouted "you are not in your senses" at her.

Some BJP councillors shouted "Jai Shri Ram" and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Their rivals from the AAP shot back, "Aam Aadmi Party zindabad, Arvind Kejriwal zindabad."

Seven candidates are contesting the standing committee election.

The AAP nominated Aamil Malik, Raminder Kaur, Mohini Jeenwal and Sarika Chaudhary). The BJP has fielded Kamaljeet Sehrawat and Pankaj Luthra. Independent councillor Gajender Singh Daral, who joined the BJP, is also a candidate.

The panel is the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's (MCD) highest decision-making body.

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