PTI

New Delhi, March 11

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to let MCD elections happen within the nationwide capital, saying suspending polls weakens the democratic system.

His remarks got here after the Delhi State Election Commission sought the recommendation of authorized specialists on whether or not it may nonetheless maintain polls for the three municipal firms right here, following a communication from the Centre for his or her unification.

The Commission, after receiving the communication, had deferred the announcement of ballot dates for the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation and the East Delhi Municipal Corporation.

“People are questioning the transfer. It has been seven-eight years for the reason that BJP is on the Centre, why did not they do it (unification) earlier”, Kejriwal requested.

“Why did they remember it only an hour before the scheduled press conference (on Wednesday) that they have to unify the three civic bodies? The BJP knew that there is an AAP wave in Delhi and they would lose elections”, he mentioned at a briefing.

Questioning the connection between polls and unification of the three civic our bodies, Kejriwal mentioned, “What does election have to do with unification of the three civic bodies? The new councillors chosen after polls will sit in their respective offices if there are three civic bodies. If the three bodies are merged, they will sit together”.  Kejriwal urged the prime minister to make sure that the elections happen.

“With folded hands, I urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to let the elections happen. Governments come and go. The country is important and not political parties. If we pressure the Election Commission, it weakens institutions. We should not let the institutions weaken since it weakens democracy and the country”, he mentioned.

All three firms within the metropolis are at the moment dominated by the BJP, which has been controlling the civic our bodies for the reason that trifurcation of the erstwhile unified Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in 2012.                        

“The Commission has received a communication from the Lt Governor conveying Government of India’s intention to bring legislation in the ongoing session (of Parliament) for unification of the three municipal corporations. The Commission is examining the said communication and hence has decided to announce the election schedule later,” the Delhi State Election Commission had mentioned in an announcement.               

The panel had additionally talked about that it has ample time to conduct civic elections earlier than the expiry of the time period on May 18 because the election course of usually takes solely about 30 days.