First session of North MCD house commences
NEW DELHI: Sanitation, education and health would be the focus areas for the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, said Preeti Aggarwal, after being elected as the new mayor of the civic body on Thursday.
Aggarwal, a first-time BJP councillor, who represents Rohini-f ward (No 57-N), asserted that the party would work with the Opposition to “make the image of north Corporation more positive”. She was elected unopposed as the Mayor of north Delhi and the new team of the area’s civic body also took charge.
“I have a three-point formula in mind – Swachhta, Shiksha aur Swasthya (sanitation, education and health). And, our job would be to fulfil the dreams of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sanitation would be my top priority,” she told reporters soon after assuming charge.
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party councillor from Ajmeri Gate, Rakesh Kumar, was elected Leader of Opposition in the House.
Sanitation is a major governance issue in Delhi and the BJP, which has been ruling the MCD for the last 10 years, has faced criticism from residents and opposition parties for “lack of cleanliness” in the city.
The AAP and Congress have continuously attacked the Bjpled corporations, alleging that the three civic bodies have turned the city into a “mound of garbage”.
The three civic bodies had fared poorly in the Swachh Bharat survey, which was released recently by the Centre.
Besides, Vijay Kumar Bhagat was also chosen unopposed as the deputy mayor as no other party had filed nominations for the two posts.
After being elected as leader of the Opposition, Rakesh Kumar said that the AAP will play a constructive role in the Corporation as “people have elected them for Opposition”.
“The Corporation is reeling severely. Being an Opposition party, we will raise issues related to public and will expose the ruling party if they fail to cater to people,” he said.
After the polls, the saffron party’s strength in the 104-member North MCD House is 64, while AAP has 21 and Congress 15 councillors. The BSP has one member, while two had won the election independent candidates.
The post of mayor sees five single-year terms on a rotation basis, with the first year being reserved for women, the second for open category, third for reserved category, and the remaining two also being in the open category.
While election to Maujpur ward in east Delhi was held on May 14, Sarai Pipal in north Delhi will go to polls on May 21. Elections in these two wards were postponed due to death of candidates. Six members of the Standing Committee were also elected on Thursday.