SC rules against Delhi Government in LG's power to nominate aldermen to MCD

New Delhi: In a big blow to the AAP government, the Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi has the authority to nominate aldermen for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala, dismissed the Delhi government's plea that the LG must act based on the advice of the council of ministers while nominating 10 aldermen to the MCD.

The apex court delivered its decision on the Delhi government's plea after holding it for about 15 months. Last year on May 17, the court had earlier mentioned that granting the LG the power to nominate MCD aldermen could potentially destabilise an elected civic body.

The MCD consists of 250 elected members and 10 nominated members. In the December 2022 elections, the AAP secured victory over the BJP, ending the BJP's 15-year rule. The AAP won 134 seats, while the BJP secured 104 seats and the Congress nine.

Agencies