Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor takes over as Chandigarh Mayor, to focus on sanitation

Sandeep Rana

Chandigarh, February 28

Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor, who finally assumed charge as Mayor today at the Municipal Corporation office, was accorded a red carpet welcome.

A red carpet was laid at the entrance to the building. Amid the beating of dhols and loud cheer by party leaders and workers, Dhalor assumed charge.

He was declared winner of the mayoral poll on February 20 by the Supreme Court setting aside the outcome of the January 30 poll declaring BJP’s Manoj Sonkar the Mayor. Sonkar was announced the winner after eight votes were declared invalid by presiding officer Anil Masih.

The new Mayor had not assumed charge till yesterday citing personal reasons. He took over today adhering to the Punjab and Haryana High Court directions.

Punjab Chief Minister’s OSD Rajveer Singh Ghuman, co-in charge of city AAP SS Ahluwalia, senior AAP leaders Pradeep Chhabra, Chandermukhi Sharma and others were present among a large number of party leaders at the event.

“My priority would be to bring the city to the number one position in the swachhta ranking as well as clear the mountain of garbage at the dumping ground. After I became the councillor from Dadu Majra, 70 per cent work was complete and now, the remaining 30 per cent will also be done,” he said.

Dhalor said after the budget meeting, 20,000 litres of free water per household per month will be the first agenda to be passed in the very next meeting. “We will take it up with the Administration and get it passed,” he added.

Pics of RSS ideologues removed from office

As the AAP Mayor assumed charge, the pictures of RSS ideologues had disappeared from the office. Sources said BJP leaders had requested for their removal to prevent an unsavoury situation. Meanwhile, AAP put up Bhagat Singh’s picture in the office.