Ignoring Arvind Kejriwal pick, Centre nominates BJP leader Karan Singh Tanwar as NDMC Vice Chairman

NEW DELHI: Overlooking the AAP government's recommendation, the Centre has appointed BJP leader Karan Singh Tanwar as Vice Chairman of New Delhi Municipal Council ( NDMC).

The BJP-led Centre rejected the name of senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Gopal Mohan, recommended by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

As the chief minister and NDMC member, Kejriwal has the authority to recommend a name for the vice-chairperson's post.

"The central government hereby nominates Karan Singh Tanwar as Member and Vice-Chairperson of the New Delhi Municipal Council," a Home Ministry notification said.

A three-time former BJP MLA from Delhi Cant Assembly constituency, Tanwar was appointed as Vice-Chairman of NDMC on September 7 last year but had to resign from the post to contest the Assembly polls, in which he was defeated by AAP's Surinder Singh.

According to the NDMC Act, the Council comprises 13 members, of which four are nominated and three are elected. The four are nominated by the central government in consultation with the Delhi Chief Minister.

The rest are officers with central and Delhi governments.

The elected members include BJP MP from New Delhi Meenakshi Lekhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP MLA Surinder Singh.