In a significant blow to the AAP administration, the Supreme Court declared on Monday that the lieutenant governor of Delhi holds the authority to appoint aldermen to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
The bench, composed of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala, dismissed the Delhi government’s argument that the LG must act based on the advice and guidance of the council of ministers when nominating 10 aldermen to the MCD.
The Supreme Court’s decision came after nearly 15 months of deliberation on the Delhi government’s plea.
On May 17 of the previous year, the court had expressed concerns that granting the LG the power to nominate aldermen to the MCD could potentially disrupt an elected municipal body.
The MCD comprises 250 elected members and 10 nominated members.
In December 2022, the AAP emerged victorious over the BJP in the MCD elections, ending the BJP’s 15-year reign.
The AAP secured 134 seats, the BJP won 104 seats, and the Congress gained nine seats.
