AAP to move Supreme Court to seek court-monitored mayoral polls

After Delhi's municipal assembly was adjourned for the third time in a month without electing a mayor, AAP leader Atishi on Monday said the party would move the Supreme Court so that the election could be held in a "court-monitored manner".

The town hall failed to elect a mayor on Monday after a row broke out over the fact that nominated members could vote in elections for the post.

Shortly after the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) house assembled around 11:30 am, after a half-hour delay, Chairman Satya Sharma announced that the councilors would be allowed to vote in the elections for the posts of mayor, deputy mayor and permanent. Committee members to be held simultaneously. This sparked protests from AAP councillors. Party president Mukesh Goel said councilors cannot vote.

After leaving the House, AAP leader Atishi told reporters, "We will go to the Supreme Court and we will go today so that the mayoral election can be held in a judicially monitored manner." The first two sessions of the House — held on January 6 and January 24 — were adjourned by the Speaker without electing a mayor following uproar and heated exchanges between BJP and AAP members.

According to the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) Act, 1957, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor are to be elected in the very first session of the House after the civic polls. However, two months have passed since the municipal elections and Delhi is yet to get a mayor.