Leaders welcome direct election for Mayor

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, September 9

The decision of the Haryana Government to hold direct elections to the posts of Mayor in various Municipal Corporations (MCs) has brought cheers for leaders of different political parties, who claim that they are ready to fight for the job.

Leaders said direct Mayoral poll would end horse trading of councillors, which had been going on for decades. It would also help in ending corruption in the MCs, they added. However, there was nervousness among former Mayors, who said, “The government should give more powers to Mayors so that development works can be carried out without any hindrance of bureaucrats, who follow state government’s dictates.”

The tenure of the Panchkula Municipal Corporation ended recently and the power to carry out development works in the city was delegated to Municipal Commissioner Rajesh Jogpal. As per new notification, the Mayor would have more powers than councillors.

"I have always been in favour of direct elections of the Mayor, which has now been accepted by the state government. The Mayor elected directly by the voters will have full cooperation of the people as well as councillors. The state government should initiate steps to give more power to the Mayor, which will help in ending corruption, besides making the election transparent."

Upinderjit Ahluwalia, Ex-Mayor

"The state gover-nment has merged Panchkula and Kalka Assembly constituencies. Now, the Mayor will be more powerful as two MLAs will be under him/her. They will have to take a lot of initiative to get works done in their respective constituencies. I had given this proposal while I was a member of the reforms panel of the Local Bodies Department during the previous dispensation in the state."

Ravinder Rawal, Ex-MC president

"I am ready to contest the Mayor’s election. My party Indian National Lok Dal has strengthened its hold in the region during the last few years. The INLD and the BSP will contest the elections jointly. People have shown interest in my party as we have briefed them about our policies. Directly elected Mayor will be responsible for the development works and answerable to the people, who have elected him or her. " 

Seema Chaudhary, Ex-MC president

"This step of the state gover-nment is laudable. Earlier, every councillor wanted to become the MC president or Mayor. As a result, councillors instead of thinking about development works tried to find an opportunity to dislodge the Mayor from his/her chair.  There are many problems which can be solved when there is a directly elected Mayor. This will also help in ending horse trading of councillors."

OP Sihag, Former Executive Officer

"I am ready to contest the Mayoral poll. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre as well as in the state has taken Haryana backwards. The condition of all cities under various Municipal Corporations is visible to the people. There are many problems for which a solution has to be found. The Congress has experienced leaders who are ready to contest the Municipal Corporation elections."

Tarun Bhandari, Ex-MC president