Despite having majority in the Budhlada municipal council, Independents could not nominate anyone for the post of the presidents of the council at the meeting held on Monday.
Surprisingly, none of the councillors turned up for the meeting to elect the chief of the council. As per the polling officials, all the 19 elected MCs failed to turn up for the oath ceremony leaving them in a fix over future developments.
"Nobody turned up for the oath ceremony and we are looking for further options to resolve the issue," claimed Amritpal, executive officer of civic body in Mansa. Out of the 19 seats, Independents have bagged 11 while the SAD-BJP combine was limited to 5 seats with the Congress wining three. Independents failed to project a candidate as council chief as they are still undecided on support to two SAD candidates Harvendra Singh Bunty and Gurmeet Singh Batra.
The SAD, which has got 4 seats, is already battling with the alleged differences between sitting MLA Chetan Singh Samao and former MLA Harwant Singh Datewas. Sources claimed that Chetan Singh is supporting Harvendra Singh Bunty, winner from ward number 18, as both hail from the SC community.
Chetan Singh, however, refuted these allegations and claimed that he is not projecting anyone for the top post. “I am not backing anyone as chief of the municipal council. It will be a collective decision of the party."
Datewas, who is supporting Gurmeet Singh Batra, alleged that it was Samao, who intentionally delayed his arrival for the meeting due to which polling officials postponed the meeting. "He arrived late at the meeting due to which none of the MCs turned up," said Datewas. Gurmeet Singh Batra, winner from ward 2, claims that most of the Independents are backing him for the post of MC chief.
Chetan Singh, however, refuted these allegations and claimed that he is not projecting anyone for the top post. “I am not backing anyone as chief of the municipal council. It will be a collective decision of the party."
Datewas, who is supporting Gurmeet Singh Batra, alleged that it was Samao, who intentionally delayed his arrival for the meeting due to which polling officials postponed the meeting. "He arrived late at the meeting due to which none of the MCs turned up," said Datewas. Gurmeet Singh Batra, winner from ward 2, claims that most of the Independents are backing him for the post of MC chief.
"I have support of two SAD MCs with most of the Independents also backing my candidature. MLA Samao is supporting Bunty, who in the past, was a Ccongress supporter. We are old-timers.”