Mayor still a male bastion, says Beri; later retracts

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 6

Erupting a controversy over the possibility of Jalandhar getting its first woman Mayor, Congress MLA Rajinder Beri today said a woman Mayor could not run the Municipal Corporation of Jalandhar (MCJ).

“Only a male Mayor can run a municipal corporation. If the Congress comes to power, we will appoint a male Mayor only,” said Beri.

When asked about the reason behind his claim, Beri said, “My assessment says the responsibility of a mayor in Jalandhar cannot be given to a woman, though she can be given the post of Deputy Mayor.”

However, women candidates do not seem to be supporting his views. While referring to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Dr Jasleen Sethi, former Congress president of the women’s wing (Urban), said if a woman could run a country, why could not a woman Mayor run a municipal corporation?

“It is not the party’s opinion. It can be his personal views. I have got a ticket from a general ward and it showed that the Congress wants to motivate the women cadre in the state,” said Dr Sethi, who is contesting the MC poll from Ward No. 20.

Beri had already extended his support to former Leader of Opposition Jagdish Raja as the Mayoral candidate.

However, with both MLAs — Rajinder Beri and Sushil Rinku — fielding their own wives from their secured constituencies, speculations are making rounds that if the Congress comes to power, either of the woman may be projected as a potential candidate for the Mayoral elections.

Though retracting from his statement later, Beri added that he said so in a confusion pertaining to his wife.

“I thought that the woman Mayor referred to here was my wife. Though she is contesting the Municipal Corporation poll, I will still support Raja as the Mayoral candidate,” said Beri, adding that a woman can be made a Mayor but she has to be well-educated and should have political understanding to run the civic affairs.

MLA extends support to Jagdish Raja

• Beri had already extended his support to former Leader of Opposition Jagdish Raja as the Mayoral candidate.