Cong committee polls on anvil

A number of candidates are in the fray,including vice-president of the city unit Subhash Chawla,INTUC president Ram Pal Sharma and senior leader of the party Pawan Sharma. Speculation is rife that the current president,B B Bahl,is likely to be given another term. Bahl has already completed three terms of three years each. These include two as the elected president and one as nominated.

As per the constitution of the party,president of a unit can enjoy two consecutive terms in this post. Speculation about Bahl’s extension is creating unrest among other prospective candidates. A senior party leader said,“Bahl has been the president for three consecutive terms. The constitution of the party states that a person can be a president for two terms only. It is time that some new face is given a chance.”

The only other such example in the party is Chaudhary Bhopal Singh,who had been the president of the unit for four consecutive terms from 1972 to 1984. Though the election process for the organisational poll were earlier scheduled for June,it was delayed. Meanwhile,Bahl said,“I am not aware that the party is considering giving me an extension. This would depend on what the majority of delegates want. The final decision rests with Congress president Sonia Gandhi. We would abide by her decision.”

Elections for the Municipal Corporation are scheduled for next year. Selection of party president is likely to be done keeping that in view.