AAP mustering numbers to bag Tarn Taran civic body chief’s post

The ruling AAP which fell short of a clear majority in the recently held elections to the 25-member local Municipal Council is heading rapidly toward managing the required numbers with the support of some Independent councillors. Fourteen is the required number of councillors to prove the majority, including the MLAs, to get the post of president of the Municipal Council.

In the election, the ruling AAP could get eight members elected with 14 Independents and three belonging to the Congress. The 14 Independent councillors elected in no way are united and have a difference of opinion despite the fact that most of these 14 were backed with funds and moral support by the ‘Azad Group’, which includes some influential and well to do persons of the area. The leadership of ‘Azad Group’ played a key role in managing a few Independents to get their nomination papers accepted during the filing of papers.

Dr Kashmir Singh Sohal, AAP MLA from Tarn Taran, held a meeting with Bhagwan Singh, an Independent councillor who won from ward number 2 here today. The councillor was honoured by the MLA with a siropa (robe of honor). Councillor Bhagwan Singh assured the MLA of his support and thanked him too. The MLA, in his address on the occasion, called upon elected councillors to be united for the development of the town. A councillor of the Congress party and an Independent have already hinted at extending their support to the ruling AAP. Thus, the AAP is heading rapidly towards managing a majority in the proposed first meeting of the MC House to be held any time in the coming days. The leaders of the ‘Azad Group’ too are convening meetings of Independent councillors and making efforts to prove their existence in the town which matters in the light of the Vidhan Sabha elections to be held in 2027. A leader of the ‘Azad group‘ told this correspondent that the 14 Independent councillors are not of one view, irrespective of their political or other association.