Deputy heads of civic bodies not elected as SAD-BJP engage in cold war
A cold war between the leaders of ruling alliance partners SAD and BJP in the district has had a bearing on civic bodies' affairs as the race for one-upmanship has resulted in at least two municipal councils not electing vice-presidents, which is otherwise a constitutional necessity as per the Municipal Act.
A cold war between the leaders of ruling alliance partners SAD and BJP in the district has had a bearing on civic bodies' affairs as the race for one-upmanship has resulted in at least two municipal councils not electing vice-presidents, which is otherwise a constitutional necessity as per the Municipal Act.
The post of vice-president in Hoshiarpur MC is vacant since October 2011, whereas the one in Sham Churasi has not been filled for four years.
As per sources, is the tit for tat policy of the leadership of SAD and BJP that has led to the situation.
The alliance partners had reached a consensus that if one party holds the president's post the other would get the post of vice-president.
In Sham Churasi, SAD held majority and got its man elected as president. The chair of vice-president, as per the mutual arrangement should have gone to the BJP but the SAD did not honour the commitment and chose one from its own elected councilors to occupy the post. After the expiry of the one-year term, no election was held.
To settle scores, the BJP, which is in majority in Hoshiarpur, has stalled the election of the vice-president as the post has to go to the SAD.
Two SAD councillors have held posts for one year each, but after the expiry of the tenure of the second member, fresh election was not held. Terms of both the municipal bodies ends in July this year.
When contacted, Hoshiarpur MC president and district BJP president Shiv Sood said that the MC had written to the SDM a number of times to hold elections, but he had not initiated the process.
SAD district president and Garhshankar MLA Surinder Singh Bhulewal Rathan, declined comment, stating it was no use discussing the matter at this stage as the MC term was about to end next month.