Delhi: AAP Fields Dalit Candidate for MCD Mayoral Election, LG Postpones Poll

New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) harshly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its alleged anti-Dalit stance and “continuously acting against the Constitution”. The party also chastised the Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena for postponing the MCD mayoral election on the “behest” of the BJP — which is at the helm of affairs in the Centre.

The election was scheduled to be held on April 26 . The AAP had fielded a Dalit candidate, Mahesh Khichi, for the post of mayor and Ravinder Bhardwaj for deputy mayor of the MCD. Citing “unprecedented” circumstances where the chief minister is under judicial custody and cannot discharge his constitutionally obligated functions.

AAP Durgesh Pathak, who is the MCD in-charge for the party, stated during a press conference on April 26 that the party was seeking legal advice on the LG’s decision to postpone the poll, citing the lack of approval from the chief minister on the appointment of the presiding officer.

“The BJP and the LG have been exposed. Their true colors — anti-Dalit and anti-Constitution — have now come to the fore. The people of Delhi are furious, so we are searching for ways to take the matter up with the highest court and make it a big issue. The Constitution is being altered daily by the BJP. And as a, the nation is fed up with the ruling dispensation,” he said.

According to AAP national spokesperson Dilip Pandey, the chief minister’s approval could not be obtained because the file requesting the nomination of the presiding officer was never forwarded to the minister of urban development.

The BJP and the LG, he alleged, are denying a Dalit candidate the chance to run for mayor by postponing the poll and nomination of the presiding officer.

“We have said it time and time again: the BJP wants to do away with Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution. Dr Ambedkar granted every citizen the right to vote and the ability to exercise their authority. However, the BJP is in favor of arbitrary rule. How will you exercise your right to vote in the event that there are no elections?” he queried.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh claimed that Delhi was unable to elect a Dalit mayor on Friday (April 26) because of the BJP’s “animosity” toward the Dalits.

“Through the LG, the BJP planned to postpone the election in order to keep a Dalit contender from winning the mayoral poll. It is not happening for the first time, though. In addition to designating 10 BJP volunteers as council members last year, the LG also granted them the ability to vote. Even the Supreme Court ruled that the nominees were not entitled to vote. Then, against the chief minister’s advice, BJP council member Satya Sharma was appointed as the presiding officer. So, on what basis, the mayoral election is being postponed?” he asked.

The current standing committee elections have not taken place because the nomination of council members is still pending in court, Singh continued.

The BJP council members were also criticised by MCD Mayor Shelly Oberoi for playing a song in the House and dancing to it.

“Their faces were beaming with relief that there would be no elections. AAP vehemently denounces the BJP council members’ actions,” she said.