BJP wins Ambala ZP chairman’s post

our correspondent

Ambala, April 17

BJP candidate Surender Rana was elected the president of the Ambala zila parishad (ZP) here today. He defeated INLD’s Makhan Singh in a direct contest held amid tight security at the additional deputy commissioner’s (ADC) office. Rajneesh Sharma, an Independent, was elected the vice president.

Surender Rana won by 3 votes. He got 9 votes, while the INLD candidate Makhan Singh secured 6 votes. In view of the election, heavy police force, including two DSPs and three SHOs, was deployed outside the ADC’s office.

Later, Makhan Singh alleged unfair means were used to defeat him. He was supported by INLD leader Abhay Chautala. Refuting the allegation, the Minister of State Nayab Singh Saini and local MLA Aseem Goel, who were present during the election, said the polling was conducted in a fair and transparent manner.

Following the repeated postponement of the election to the top posts of Ambala ZP, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had threatened to initiate contempt proceeding against the authorities concerned, in case, the election was not held before April 23.

The court had issued the directions following a writ petition filed by Makhan Singh, a ZP member.