Supreme Court Rules on Delhi L-G's Authority

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi possesses the power to nominate aldermen to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) without the aid and advice of the Delhi government. This decision rejects the AAP government's plea challenging the LG's authority and underscores the potential for the LG to influence the MCD's functioning. In December 2022, AAP won the MCD elections, ending the BJP's 15-year rule, but the LG's nomination of 10 BJP members as aldermen led to accusations of undermining democratic processes. The court emphasized the LG's role under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, and highlighted concerns about the destabilizing impact of such powers on elected bodies.