“Traitor” chanted as AAP councilor adds to BJP votes in Delhi’s key polls

New Delhi:

Aam Aadmi Party rebel Pawan Sehrawat on Friday cast his vote during the election of six members of the MCD’s standing committee amid ridicule from his former colleagues, many of whom labeled him a “traitor”.

The AAP councilor from Bawana joined the BJP ahead of the crucial municipal council meeting.

A fresh poll is being conducted to elect six members of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on the orders of Delhi Mayor Shelli Oberoi.

The polling started at around 11.15 am. Ms. Oberoi has banned the carrying of mobile phones in the booth area.

BJP councilors clapped loudly when Sehrawat’s name was called out to cast his vote. As he walked through the corridors of the House to collect his ballot paper, he was greeted by AAP members’ cheers and chants of “traitor”.

Undeterred Mr Sehrawat walked with a strut, thumped his thigh, raised his hand and wagged his finger as he made his way to the booth area.

Earlier in the day, the AAP corporator from Bawana was welcomed by BJP working president Virendra Sachdeva and general secretary Harsh Malhotra at the party’s Delhi unit office. Several other leaders of BJP’s Delhi unit were also present.

Mr Sehrawat joined the BJP alleging that he felt “suffocated” due to “corruption” in the party led by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

He also alleged that he was distressed as AAP councilors were instructed to create ruckus during the MCD House meeting.

A day after prolonged uproar following clashes between AAP and BJP councillors, the MCD House resumed at 11 am to make another bid for the election of the municipal corporation’s standing committee members.

As the session could not resume at the scheduled time of 10 am, several BJP corporators raised slogans of “set your watch, mayor madam come to the house”. to resume proceedings.

Earlier, as members waited for the meeting to begin, several BJP corporators greeted Sehrawat in the chamber of the House and raised slogans of “Pawan Sehrawat”. welcome to (We welcome Pawan Sehrawat)” and made victory signs to welcome him into their ranks.

Mr Sehrawat also donned the party colors of the BJP and waved victory signs inside the chamber.

About 130 councilors have cast their votes till 1 pm in the 250-member House.

Sometimes Ms Oberoi reminded councilors that mobile phones were not allowed in the booth area.

AAP’s Leader of the House Mukesh Goyal, Deputy Mayor Ale Mohammad Iqbal, BJP corporator Rekha Gupta who lost to Oberoi in the mayoral election, former South Delhi mayor Kamaljit Sehrawat, AAP member Bobby – the first corporator from the transgender community – have done their bit. Suffrage.

On February 17, the apex court had ordered the issuance of notice within 24 hours for convening the first meeting of the MCD to decide the date for the election of mayor, deputy mayor and members of the standing committee.

Seven candidates are in the fray for six members of the Standing Committee.

AAP has nominated Amil Malik (Shri Ram Colony ward), Raminder Kaur (Fateh Nagar ward), Mohini Jinwal (Sunder Nagri ward) and Sarika Chowdhary (Daryaganj ward).

Kamaljit Sehrawat (Dwarka-B ward) and Pankaj Luthra (Jhilmil ward) are contesting for BJP.

Independent councilor Gajendra Singh Daral, who later joined the BJP, is also a candidate.

The elections for the posts of mayor and deputy mayor took place on Wednesday, two months after the high-stakes municipal elections on December 4.

The AAP emerged as a clear winner in the elections held on 4 December, winning 134 wards and ending the BJP’s 15-year rule in the civic body. The BJP finished second by winning 104 wards, while the Congress won nine seats in the 250-member House.