Current Status of MCD and Mayoral Elections: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is yet to elect its third mayor. The present mayor, Shelly Oberoi, continues on an extension since April 2024. Despite Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s insistence on conducting the elections, Delhi awaits its mayor under the Scheduled Caste category for the third consecutive year.
Scheduled Meeting Not for Mayoral Election: Mayor Shelly Oberoi has scheduled an MCD House meeting on October 28, but not for electing a new mayor. The MCD sought permission for elections this month, but it wasn’t granted. According to the MCD Act, the mayor sets the date and time for elections, while the Presiding Officer – appointed by the Delhi LG – oversees the process.
Extension of Shelly Oberoi’s Tenure: The mayoral race slated for April 2024 was postponed as the Presiding Officer cited the absence of CM’s recommendation on the candidate file. At that time, CM Kejriwal was imprisoned, preventing him from making the necessary recommendations. Hence, Oberoi remains in position with the election pending.
MCD Act on Mayoral Elections: The Delhi MCD Act mandates mayoral elections every April. After the December 2022 general MCD elections, AAP won 134 seats, and Shelly Oberoi was elected mayor in February 2023. The role, reserved for a Scheduled Caste candidate in its third year, remains unfulfilled due to election delays in April 2024.
Political Criticism and Accusations: Both AAP and BJP have accused each other of being anti-Scheduled Caste amid election delays. BJP’s senior leader Yogesh Verma claimed that the mayor could conduct elections if desired. Verma further alleged that the delay facilitates the current mayor’s participation in a mayoral conference in Brazil at government expense.
This stalemate continues to hinder Delhi’s municipal governance, leaving the capital city on tenterhooks regarding its next civic administration leader.
