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AAP, BJP Clash Over Delhi Civic SC Panel Election
A committee in Delhi’s city government held an election for members who work on Scheduled Caste welfare.
BJP candidates were declared winners without a contest.
AAP said the election was moved earlier and that the committee was made smaller unfairly.
AAP also said this could help BJP members obtain the top committee positions.
AAP councillors protested at the Mayor’s office and shouted slogans.
One councillor, Prem Chauhan, tore his kurta during the protest.
Mayor Pravesh Wahi said AAP had not submitted a candidate’s nomination form.
The two parties disagree about whether the election followed the rules.
BJP candidates were declared elected unopposed to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s Scheduled Caste Welfare Committee.
AAP alleged the election was advanced and held before its councillors could attend.
AAP claimed the committee’s membership was reduced from 35 to 21 to benefit BJP councillors.
AAP councillors protested at Mayor Pravesh Wahi’s chamber, raising slogans and confronting security officials.
The Mayor said AAP did not nominate a candidate, while AAP vowed to continue fighting for Delhi’s Dalit communities.
- Who
- The Aam Aadmi Party and Bharatiya Janata Party, along with Delhi Mayor Pravesh Wahi and councillors, were involved.
- What
- BJP candidates were declared elected unopposed to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s Scheduled Caste Welfare Committee amid protests and allegations of irregularities.
- Where
- The election concerned the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, and the protest took place at the Mayor’s chamber and office.
- When
- The election and ensuing protest took place on Thursday; AAP said the election had originally been scheduled for 3 p.m.
- Why
- AAP said the election was advanced and the committee’s membership reduced to help BJP councillors secure leadership posts; the Mayor said AAP had not nominated a candidate.
AAP’s allegations
Mayor and BJP position
Timing and procedure
AAP’s allegations
AAP said the election was advanced from its scheduled 3 p.m. time and conducted in the absence of its councillors, violating rules.
Mayor and BJP position
Mayor Pravesh Wahi said AAP did not nominate a candidate after nomination dates were announced, so the candidate was elected unopposed.
Committee size and leadership
AAP’s allegations
AAP said reducing the committee from 35 to 21 members was arbitrary and intended to help BJP secure the chairperson and vice-chairperson positions.
Mayor and BJP position
The Mayor rejected AAP’s protest and criticized the councillors’ conduct, but the article does not provide a separate BJP response to the membership-reduction allegation.
Conduct during protest
AAP’s allegations
AAP councillors protested at the Mayor’s chamber and said they were defending the rights and entitlements of Delhi’s Dalit communities.
Mayor and BJP position
The Mayor accused AAP councillors of disrupting the election, misbehaving, and acting indecently in front of women councillors during the confrontation.
Key facts
- Committee
- Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s Scheduled Caste Welfare Committee
- Election result
- BJP candidates were declared elected unopposed.
- Membership disputed
- AAP said the number of committee members was reduced from 35 to 21.
- Scheduled time
- AAP said the election was originally scheduled for 3 p.m. on Thursday.
- Protest action
- AAP councillors raised slogans at the Mayor’s chamber; Prem Chauhan tore his kurta.
- Mayor’s explanation
- Pravesh Wahi said AAP did not submit a nomination form, so the candidate was declared elected unopposed.
Quotes
Ankush Narang
AAP councillor and Leader of Opposition in the MCD
“The BJP-ruled MCD reduced the number of Dalit members in the SC/ST Welfare Committee from 35 to just 21 with the objective of appointing its own chairperson and vice-chairperson.”
NDTV
“When the dates for filing nomination forms for the election were announced, the Aam Aadmi Party did not submit a form; consequently, the candidate was declared elected unopposed.”
NDTV








