AAP vs LG: In a setback to Vinay Saxena, the Supreme Court has reserved judgment on Delhi government’s plea challenging the right of the Lieutenant Governor to nominate aldermen in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The apex court had asked about the “source of power”. “Lt Governor under the Constitution and law to nominate aldermen to the MCD without the aid and advice of the elected government.
The top court said that giving the LG the power to nominate aldermen in the MCD meant he could destabilize the elected civic body. A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala made the observation while reserving its verdict on Delhi government’s plea challenging the LG’s authority to nominate aldermen in the MCD.
“Is the nomination of 12 eminent persons in the MCD so much a matter of concern for the Centre? In fact, giving this power to the LG would effectively mean that he can destabilize the democratically elected Municipal Committees as their (aldermen) shall also have voting rights”, observed the bench.