From now on, representation of political parties in the standing, transport, law, women and child welfare, tree authority and other special committees will be decided on the basis of their strength in the civic body through nominations instead of elections. A notification issued by the Urban Development Department (UDD) on February 27, states that while nominating corporators to committees, the general body should take into account the relative strength of the recognised parties, in proportion to their strength in the civic body. This should be done after consulting the leader of the house, leader of opposition and the party leader. Till now, a secret ballot decided who would represent the party. This often led to corporators ignoring the party whip and cross voting. In the new system, in the 144-member Pune Municipal Corporation, political parties will get representation in the standing, transport and other special committees on the basis of their total strength. The party leaders will forward a list of members who will be nominated.For example, the Nationalist Congress Party has 41 members in the PMC. With five independents supporting them, their strength is 46. They can pitch for five members (their relative strength) in the 16-member strong standing committee who will be appointed by the party. The notification aims to bring commitment from independent corporators to the political parties they support. They can form a new front to lend support to the recognised political parties. The notification also states that for the purpose of deciding the relative strength of the recognised parties, elected corporators not belonging to any party, can form a front within a period of one month from the date of election results. The gazette has been published on February 8. Such candidates will have to give an undertaking to the divisional commissioner. Nationalist Congress Party city unit president Jaidev Gaikwad said the notification will ensure that the independent candidates stay committed. “Bargaining or arm-twisting by the independent candidates will also stop once they form a front,” he said.Gaikwad added the Nationalist Congress Party has the support of five independent candidates: Bandu Khemse, Jayshree Andekar, Vikas Dangat, Shankar Beldare and Sunil Bibwe. “They have formed their front with Khemse as their leader and an undertaking has been submitted at the office of divisional commissioner on Friday ,” he said.
