In Chandigarh, nominated councillors don saffron hues to welcome Amit Shah - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

In Chandigarh, nominated councillors don saffron hues to welcome Amit Shah

Hindustan Times, Chandigarh | By, Chandigarh
May 21, 2017 11:10 AM IST

Youngest nominated councillor greets party national president with a Bhangra; some attend functions as party office-bearers

The nine nominated councillors named for municipal corporation house are supposed to play an advisory role without allegiance to any political party.

BJP national president Amit Shah addressing the media during a press conference in Chandigarh on Saturday.(Karun Sharma/HT Photo)
BJP national president Amit Shah addressing the media during a press conference in Chandigarh on Saturday.(Karun Sharma/HT Photo)

However, on Saturday, as the BJP Chandigarh unit turned the city saffron to welcome the party’s national president Amit Shah, some of the nominated councillors were also eager to change colour.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The most enthusiastic among them was the youngest nominated councillor, Shipra Bansal, who welcomed Shah at the airport by ‘doing a bhangra’.

Bansal, daughter of BJP Mahila Morcha general secretary, then rushed back to the BJP Chandigarh headquarters in Sector 33 to repeat the performance, but did not get a chance due to the rush of the party workers.

Nominated councillor Sat Parkash Aggarwal, a former party councillor, was also present when Shah spoke.

Nominated councillor Haji Mohammed Khurshid Ali, and former secretary of BJP, also nominated councillor, Sachin Kumar Lohtiya were also present. A couple of nominated councillors were invited ‘in their capacity’ as BJP office-bearers and were present on the guest list. Former mayor Kamla Sharma was also present.

MAJORITY ARE BJP SYMPATHISERS

The release of the list of nominated councillors for 2017 reflected the BJP’s dominance in the civic body.

Among the nine nominated councillors are former mayor Kamla Sharma; president of minority cell (BJP) Haji Mohammed Khurshid Ali ; and former secretary of BJP Sachin Kumar Lohtiya. Social worker Ajay Dutta, with strong roots in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is one of the nominated councillors.

Later, a dinner and meeting of BJP’s core committee was also held, but most leaders claimed not to have been informed.

FACES VOLLEY OF QUERIES

Amit Shah answered several questions that workers and mediapersons threw at him during the day — from the state of the BJP to the welcome he received.

‘Decision soon on Chandigarh BJP chief’:

The party is well aware of the issue and will take a call on the new president soon.

Extravagant welcome: Not VIP culture

How can banner and hoardings installed for a particular occasion be a problem for anyone?

Congress: ‘Lacks internal democracy’

In the BJP, no one knows who will be the next national president. In the Congress, it is clear who will succeed Sonia Gandhi?

Chandigarh civic issues: ‘Approach MP”

For city-related issues, residents can approach Sanjay Tandon and Kirron Kher.

BJP:‘Come a long way’

We have seen more defeats than victory in elections. It is just recently that the party has started winning elections.

SIDELIGHTS

Shah welcomed at five reception centres

BJP supporters during Amit Shah’s road show in Sector 47. (Karun Sharma/HT Photo)
BJP supporters during Amit Shah’s road show in Sector 47. (Karun Sharma/HT Photo)

Dhol beats, saffron flower petals, huge garlands, siropa and sword were what greeted the BJP national president at five reception centres — Motor Market Sector 48, Sector 47, Sector 46, Sector 45 and the crossing of Sector 33/45 en route Kamlam, the party’s office in Sector 33, Chandigarh, during his roadshow. Shah’s roadshow halted for two minutes at each of these centres

Divide visible, Dhawan not present

Some senior leaders and workers said they were not included on the list of invitees at the party workers’ function. Former MP Harmohan Dhawan was also not present. The names of former councillors Saurabh Joshi and Satinder Singh were not on the list of invitees. The name of national executive leader of Yuva Morcha Sehdev Salaria was also missing from the list of invitees.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On