Election for Tarn Taran Municipal Council chief postponed

The election for the president of the Tarn Taran Municipal Council (MC) has become a severe headache for the state government and the district administration. This election, which was to be held today (Friday), was postponed due to busy schedule of the Election Convener-cum-SDM, Tarn Taran, at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. A letter in this regard was issued by the office of the SDM vide order No. 4372, April 3, 2025.

Most councillors, especially Independents, were unaware of the development. Councillors were apprised about postponing of the election by Executive Officer (EO) Randeep Singh Waraich when they came to attend the first meeting of the MC House today.

Eighteen councillors associated with Dr Kashmir Singh Sohal, Tarn Taran MLA, opposed postponement of the MC president’s election and raised slogans against the administration.

Sarbrinder Singh Bharowal, a leader of the MLA group, while addressing councillors at the MC office today alleged that distribution of hefty cash and interference of AAP leaders led to postponement of the election just to defame Dr Kashmir Singh Sohal.

Sohal too condemned the role of the outsider AAP leaders and a minister in this connection. As per neutral circles, there were sharp differences among top AAP leaders.

In the 25-member MC House there are only eight members of the ruling AAP, 14 are Independents and three members belong to the Congress. The MC House is divided between two groups of councillors, one led by Dr Kashmir Singh Sohal and another by a Cabinet Minister, who has the support of many senior party leaders. Both the groups frequently indulge in a tug-of-war. Since last three weeks, both groups have been trying to lure other councillors to come to their respective sides.

Meanwhile, the next date for the MC chief election has not been fixed. The administration had made all arrangements for the MC House meeting in the early morning today.