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No consensus yet on Mayor candidate
It will take more time for the Millennium City to see its first mayor. The election for the post, which was postponed from June 14 to June 21, is likely to be delayed further.
It will take more time for the Millennium City to see its first mayor. The election for the post, which was postponed from June 14 to June 21, is likely to be delayed further.
A section of the recently-elected councillors, who have been trying to pick a mayoral candidate of their choice, have not reached an agreement. They may file a PIL in the apex court to prevent the mayoral election from happening on Monday.
Their argument is that the election can't be held until 60 days have passed since the May 15 MCG poll.
According to lawyers, councillors have a right to appeal in court against holding the election as per Section 32 of the Constitution. Lawyers say this period is called 'dark zone'.
The BJP and INLD have failed to gather the required numbers needed to elect the mayor. Even the Congress is divided into two factions over this issue.
A group led by Gurgaon MP Rao Inderjit Singh has proposed names of their choice for the post of mayor and deputy mayor.
Another group led by MLA Rao Dharampal and sports minister Sukhbir Singh Kataria have a different set of names for the posts.
Six BJP and four INLD candidates had won the MCG polls, and a large number of independents supported by Congress had won as well. Since then Congress has been claiming the support of 18 councillors - the number required to elect the mayor for the MCG's 35 wards.
Rao Inderjit Singh says he enjoys the backing of 12 councillors while the other faction says it also has a large support base. For now, the Congress-ruled state government has no choice but to stay undecided on the mayoral election until an agreement is reached on a name acceptable to all warring groups.
“A councillor can move the apex court within 60 days. The person can also seek extension of dark zone period from 60 days to 90 days,” said Gurgaon-based legal expert S Oberoi.
