Congress, BSP set to slug it out for ZP chairman post

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 5

The electoral battle for the Zila Panchayat (ZP) chairperson’s post appears to be a tough contest between Congress candidate Savita Chaudhary and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate Mohammed Sattar.

Tomorrow is the deadline to file nominations. Candidature can be taken back till May 10 and elections will be held on May 13.

In the 47-member Zila Panchayat body, the Bahujan Samaj Party has the highest number (17) of members. Congress has 11 and the BJP has only three members. Independents, numbering 16, have a major say in this chairperson election as whichever side they slide in majority will surely win.

The Congress says the election will be a one-sided affair as it claims to have support of majority of the Independents as well as some BJP members.

Former district Congress president Chaudhary Rajendra Singh, husband of Savita Chaudhary, said some BSP Zila Panchayat members were in contact with him as they were unhappy with their party candidate Mohammed Satar, brother of former legislator Mohammed Shahzad.

“We have support of at least 10 Independents and 10 BSP legislators, which will take our tally to 31. For majority, 24 votes are required. The BSP has given ticket to Sattar, the brother-in-law of sacked Zila Panchayat chairperson Anjum Begum, who did nothing in her four-year tenure. Similarly, Mohammed Shahzad lost parliamentary election in 2009 to Harish Rawat by 1.25 lakh odd votes and also lost Assembly election in 2012 on BSP ticket. They misused their positions to amass wealth and were expelled from the BSP for a brief tenure. But Congress’ Savita Chaudhary has been involved with grass root workers. She is socially active for the past couple of years,” said Chaudhary Rajendra Singh.

Meanwhile, former legislator Mohammed Shahzad also claimed of having adequate support to ensure BSP candidate’s victory. He said some Zila Panchayat members of Congress, who are close to rebel group led by former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, approached him extending support to the candidature of Mohammed Satar.

The BJP, owing to its paltry members in the Zila Panchayat, has kept mum on its choice so far. Sources say they are expected to vote against the Congress candidate. Last time too the BJP’s seven Zila Panchayat members had voted in favour of the then BSP candidate Anjum Begum.