HC to rehear petition challenging city Mayor’s election on April 21
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has decided to conduct a rehearing of the petition filed by Congress councillor Vikas Soni, challenging the election of Mayor in Amritsar. The court has issued notices to all parties concerned, seeking their response before the scheduled rehearing on April 21, informed the petitioner.
Vikas Soni had filed the petition on January 27, alleging that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is in power in Punjab, used undue influence to ensure the appointment of its councillors as Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor. He contended that the Congress party had a clear majority in the Municipal Corporation House and demanded fresh elections for the Mayor’s post.
The case was initially heard on January 29 by a double bench. However, no notice of motion or next date of hearing was issued at that time. The High Court reserved its decision until February 9 and subsequently announced on February 10 that the final verdict would be uploaded on February 11. In its latest ruling, the court determined that the petition requires a fresh hearing and directed all involved parties to present their arguments on April 21.
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, the elected Mayor, Jitendra Singh Moti Bhatia, assumed office on January 28. However, the elected Senior Deputy Mayor, councillor Priyanka Sharma, and the elected Deputy Mayor, councillor Anita Rani, are yet to take charge.
The MC elections were held on December 21 with results declared the same day. The Congress party had won 40 seats, AAP secured 24, BJP got 9, Shiromani Akali Dal won 4, and Independent candidates got 8 seats. Subsequently, seven Independent councillors and two BJP councillors joined the AAP, while one Independent councillor joined Congress. Now, the Congress claims that it can prove its majority in the MC House. — TNS
