MCD Budget session erupts into chaos as AAP, BJP, Cong clash

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) special session to finalise the 2024-25 and 2025-26 Budget turned into a battleground on Wednesday, with councilors from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress engaging in heated arguments, slogan wars, and even physical scuffles, forcing multiple adjournments.

Scheduled to begin at 2 pm, the session started nearly an hour late when Mayor Mahesh Kumar arrived at 2:55 pm. The moment he entered the House, Congress councillors launched a protest against alleged constitutional violations, unfurling banners that read, “Humara Samvidhan Humari Pehchan, Samvidhan Ki Hatya Band Karo.” Their protest was met with fierce resistance from BJP members, who countered with slogans like “Aam Aadmi Party Chor Hai” and “Aam Aadmi Party Murdabad.”

As Leader of the House Mukesh Goel attempted to present the budget, BJP councillors stormed the Mayor’s desk, tore copies of the agenda and tried to seize microphones. Chaos erupted, with some members climbing onto tables and engaging in physical altercations. AAP members retaliated with chants of “BJP Murdabad, BJP Haye Haye.”

Mayor Mahesh Kumar repeatedly appealed for order, but his requests went unheard. At one point, he was forced to leave his chair as the scuffle intensified. In a dramatic turn, BJP councillors allegedly attempted to break the Mayor’s microphone, while AAP members accused them of deliberately stalling proceedings to avoid discussions on governance failures.

AAP councillors also raised slogans condemning an alleged attack on a Dalit mayor, shouting, “Dalit pe hamla nahi chalega,” further escalating the charged atmosphere. The mayhem ultimately led the Mayor to adjourn the session for 10 minutes.

When the House reconvened at 3:25 PM, Mayor Kumar swiftly passed the budget presented by Mukesh Goel, rejected the Opposition’s amendments, and adjourned proceedings again—prompting furious protests from BJP members.

Post-session fallout

At a press conference after the session, Mayor Mahesh Kumar slammed BJP councillors for disrupting proceedings. “For two years, the opposition has continuously created ruckus in the House, preventing meaningful discussions. They did the same today,” he stated. He also accused BJP members of snatching his microphone and physically obstructing the session. AAP further alleged that councillor Usha Sharma was injured in the scuffle, suffering bleeding wounds.

Leader of Opposition and former MCD Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh condemned the “unconstitutional passage” of the budget, accusing the AAP of failing to conduct a proper headcount before pushing it through. He claimed AAP had lost its majority in the MCD and was rushing decisions without fair debate. Singh further alleged that Rs 500 crore from the Mayor’s discretionary fund and another Rs 500 crore meant for road construction were being misused, demanding an investigation into fund allocation.

Singh also criticised AAP for failing to deliver on its election promises, including sanitation improvements, employee regularisation, and garbage disposal. “AAP came to power with ten guarantees, but not a single one has been fulfilled. Instead, corruption has increased, and civic issues remain unresolved,” he claimed.

The chaotic budget session underscored the deep political divide in the MCD, with both AAP and BJP accusing each other of derailing governance.