Chandigarh Club gears up for elections after eight years
Founded in 1957 and having 7,000 members, the Chandigarh Club is all set to hold its much-anticipated elections on November 16, marking the end of an eight-year hiatus. Members will cast their votes to elect the new executive body, including the president, vice-president and eight executive members. The results will be announced on November 17.
The spotlight is on the fierce contest for the president’s post. Sources said that Naresh Chaudhary, Sunil Khanna and Raju Mittal have already started campaigning for the presidential post. The nominations will be filed on October 28 and 29.
Sitting vice-president Naresh Chaudhary’s candidature has been endorsed by the family of late Mukesh Bassi, a former president of the club. Chaudhary’s daughter is married to Bassi’s son. He also enjoys the support of former Chandigarh Mayor Ravinder Pali, income tax lawyer Ravinder Krishan and CA Sunil Gupta, vice-chairperson of the Punjab State Economic Policy and Planning Board, RS Sachdeva, Chairman, Punjab State Chapter, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with other industrialists.
Former president Sunil Khanna is another contender for the post of president. He is backed by the sitting president Sandeep Sahni and several business people and industrialists. Businessman Raju Mittal has re-entered the race, making the contest triangular. Mittal had contested the presidential elections in 2016, but lost to Sahni.
The 2016 elections marked the last time the members voted, electing Sandeep Sahni as president. Before that, the elections were held in 2004, when Bassi was elected president. Bassi stepped down in 2011 after being elected as a councillor and Sahni took over as president.
The nominations will be filed on October 28 and 29. The voting day is November 16 and the results will be announced on November 17.
Lobbying in full swing
Source said that all three candidates eyeing the top post have intensified their campaign, engaging in hectic lobbying to secure support. Posters promoting the contenders are circulating across various social media platforms as members align themselves with their preferred candidates.
