Anjum, Devyani top contenders for post of Haridwar ZP chairperson

Sandeep Rawat

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Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 9

The fight for the coveted post of chairperson of the Haridwar Zila Panchayat has become interesting as no party could win a majority in the 47-member civic body. The BSP and the Congress have won 15 and 11 seats, respectively. Now, the focus is on 18 independent members, who form the largest segment.

Former zila panchayat chairperson Anjum Begum, who won from Beldi–Salhapur on the BSP ticket by 1,760 votes, and Maharani Devyani of the Congress, who won from Prahladpur by 1,529 votes, have emerged the front-runners for the chairperson’s post.

Anjum is said to be having an edge over Devyani in the race as at least 10 of the 18 independents were earlier with the BSP and had left the party when denied ticket.

Anjum, a relative of former BSP legislator from Bahadrabad Mohammed Shahzad, said the zila panchayat election results indicated the mood of the voters, who were unhappy with the functioning of the Congress-led state government and the indifferent attitude of Haridwar MP Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

Notably, the state government had last month sacked Anjum from the post of chairperson on the charge of large scale irregularities in the zila panchayat in October 2015.

Devyani is also a top contender though the Congress has four seats less than the BSP. Her husband Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion is a three-time legislator and is making all efforts to ensure she is elected chairperson.

Subodh Rakesh, brother-in law of Congress legislator from Bhagwanpur Mamta Rakesh, is also in contention for the chairperson’s post from the Congress. Mamta is the widow of former state Transport Minister Surendra Rakesh.

Meanwhile, the police have stepped up security for all 47 elected members of the zila panchayat.

Haridwar SP, Rural, Parmendra Singh Dobhal said as there was apprehension of crime and coercion during the election for the post of zila panchayat chairperson, the police were ensuring adequate security to all members.

“We have compiled information about all elected members, including their residential addresses and mobile phone numbers. We have upped the security for them. We had provided a gunner to every contestant in the zila panchayat elections. The in charges of all police stations have been directed to remain in contact with their area member to check horse trading, kidnapping of members, bullying or coercion for support in the election,” said Parmendra.