Parties work hard to get to magic No. 26

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Mohali, February 27

A day after Mohali returned a hung verdict in the Municipal Corporation polls, various permutations and combinations were at play to reach the magic figure of 26, required for a majority in the corporation.

As none of the three major groups, the SAD-BJP, the Congress and the Azad Group of Independents, led by coloniser-turned-politician Kulwant Singh, could get a clear majority, the two other Independent councilors, Manjeet Sethi from Ward No. 14 and Harvinder Kaur Lang from Ward No. 19, could play a crucial role in helping parties reach the figure of 26.

Political analysts pointed out that as the SAD-BJP combine, which bagged 22 seats, was short of four seats, it required the support of four more councillors. The support could either come by way of some councillors breaking away from the Azad Group or by way of the entire group supporting the SAD-BJP combine. Due to the Kulwant group’s opposition to the leadership of Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, the area in charge of the SAD, the SAD is unlikely to get support from the largest group of Independents.  In that situation, the Kulwant group, which has 11 seats, could get support from the Congress (which has 14 seats) to get to the figure of 26. Asked whether he could emerge as the kingmaker, Kulwant Singh said he was weighing all options.

Feelers sent by the SAD leadership to other Independents indicated that they too were opposed to extending support to it under the leadership of Ramoowalia. Ramoowalia was not available for comments.  

Sources in the SAD said in the eventuality of the party high command pushing for its rule in the corporation, some other senior party leader active in the area could be roped in to get the support of four Independent councillors to get a majority.

The political analysts pointed out that in the wake of differences between the SAD and the BJP, the think tank in the Akalis could forge a marriage with the Azad Group as the 16 seats of the SAD and 11 of the Azad Group could give it a majority while neturalising the BJP factor. It could also help the SAD consolidate its position in the next Vidhan Sabha elections.

 As there are at least six contenders for the post of Mayor in the SAD alone, zeroing in on any one of them will be a problem for the party.