Chatrath elected mayor unopposed

The posts of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor also went to Congress candidates — Bhupinder Singh Badheri and Sheela Devi,respectively. Nominated councillor Brig K S Chandpuri (Retd) presided over the elections while UT Deputy Commissioner Brijendra Singh was present to oversee the event.

What led to Harjinder’s withdrawal was possibly the decision of the BSP to abstain from participating in the election. The local unit of the BSP had earlier passed a resolution to support Harjinder for the mayor’s post and abstain from voting for the other two posts. The party high command,however,did not agree to it and Harjinder lost the support she had been counting on to win the election.

In the 35-member House,there are 15 Congress councillors,six BJP,one of Akali Dal,four from BSP and nine are nominated councillors. Apart from them,Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources Pawan Bansal has a vote being an ex-officio member.

As only two nominations had been received for the mayor’s post,after Harjinder Kaur withdrew,Chatrath was declared mayor without any election. This is Chatrath’s second stint as mayor; she was earlier elected in 2005. In 2007,Chatrath had lost to Harjinder Kaur by one vote.

A dejected Harjinder said,“I thank my supporters and promise that our fight will continue. However,as elections are a number game,I chose to withdraw my nomination.”

As a victorious Chatrath took over the chair,she said,“I assure all who have expressed faith in me that we will rise above party interests and work together as one. I will also ensure coordination with the UT Administration and officials of the Municipal Corporation.”

Senior Deputy Mayor

Votes Polled 32

Votes invalid 1

Bhupinder Singh Badheri (Cong) 18

Anil Dubey (BJP) 13

Deputy Mayor

Votes Polled 32

Votes invalid 1

Sheela Devi (Congress) 20

Sunita (BJP) 11

Babla also votes

Congress councillor Devinder Singh Babla,currently in police custody,also cast his vote in the elections after taking permission from the court on Thursday. As Babla entered the MC House,accompanied by a police officer,a visibly angry Union Minister Pawan Bansal asked the cop to go outside. “Is it stated in the court judgment that a police officer would stay in the House? If the authorities are so suspicious of escape,they should guard both the gates of the MC House,” said Bansal. Mayor Anu Chatrath said all present are responsible members of the House and they would take care to ensure nothing untoward happens.