ALDERMAN

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• The Lt. Governor of Delhi nominated 10 aldermen resulting in another controversy.
  • These 10 nominees are all BJP members who will play an important role in the decision-making process of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
• They do not have the right to vote in the mayor polls, but they will hold influential power and play a significant role in the elections of Standing Committees, MCD in-house and ward committee meetings.
  • They will be a part of a group that effectively controls the MCD’s purse strings.
• According to the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, of 1957; The administrator (the Lieutenant Governor) can nominate 10 people, over the age of 25 to the corporation.
  • These people are expected to have special knowledge or experience in municipal administration.
  • They are meant to assist the house in taking decisions of public importance.
• The current controversy is due to the following main reason;
  • People nominated; all belong to a particular political party that lost the election, the Delhi government stated that the decision is against the democratic mandate of the people.
  • The appointment of aldermen by the LG is seen by many as an attempt by the BJP to continue exercising power in the MCD, despite its election loss.
• The word “Aldermen” is derived from the combination of Old English words.
  • “Aldormonn” or “ealdorman” originally referred to elders of a clan or tribe, though soon it became a term for king’s viceroys, regardless of age.
  • It also denoted a more specific title – “chief magistrate of a county,” having both civic and military duties.
  • With time, it became particularly associated with guilds with chiefs/leaders being referred to as ealdorman.
  • In the 12th century CE, as guilds became increasingly associated with municipal governments, the term came to be used for officers of municipal bodies.
  • This is the sense in which it is used today.
• In this case, “Alderman” refers to a member of a city council or municipal body, but the exact responsibilities depend on the location of its usage.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/alderman-what-does-the-term-mean-8363873/