Cong faces selection dilemma

The seats for some of the candidates have already been finalised. For the others the applications would be scrutinised. The candidates would be announced in consultation with an election observer.

Among those whose candidature is final include Pardeep Chhabra from ward number 3. Chhabra has been representing the ward for the past two elections. Councillors Jatinder Bhatia and Devinder Singh Babla,whose wards were saved from reservation are likely to retain wards 22 and 18 respectively. Councillor Anu Chatrath is likely to retain ward number 2 from where she has been the winner twice.

Due to reservation of wards,prospective candidates are scouting for new wards. Subhash Chawla is likely to be fielded from ward 5. The ward he was eying earlier,ward 4 was reserved for a woman candidate during the draw of lots held recently. H S Lucky would be fielded from ward number 16. Councillor Kamlesh,meanwhile would be fielded from ward number 24 and deputy Mayor Sheela Devi is likely to contest from ward number 12. Both these wards are reserved for scheduled caste women candidates. Congress leaders Lalit Joshi and Poonam Sharma would also be fielded.

The wives of some of the party leaders are likely to be fielded from the wards which they were eyeing,but were reserved for women candidates.

Vijay Singh Rana’s wife would be fielded from ward number 14 as the ward was reserved. For ward number 9,the name of Gurbax Rawat,wife of Congress leader Birender Singh is doing the rounds. Shashi Shanker Tiwari’s wife is also a likely contender.