Court order forces Lucknow mayor to swear in SP councillor

Lucknow mayor Sushma Kharkwal administered the oath to Samajwadi Party leader Lalit Tiwari as councillor from Faizullaganj Third Ward on Sunday, following directions from the Allahabad High Court. This is the first time in the 66-year history of the Lucknow Municipal Corporation that a councillor was sworn in under court orders.

The dispute began after the municipal election, where BJP candidate Pradeep Shukla Tinku won by about 1,700 votes. Tiwari challenged the result, alleging Shukla submitted incorrect information about his marital status in his affidavit. An additional district judge's court set aside Shukla's election and declared Tiwari elected five months ago.

When authorities did not administer the oath, Tiwari approached the High Court. On May 21, the court froze the financial and administrative powers of mayor Kharkwal for non-compliance. The mayor, who was hospitalised, said she would act after discharge. The oath was administered soon after.