Mayoral poll: In Hisar, aspirants line up for BJP ticket

With the announcement of the urban local bodies elections, hectic political activities have started in Hisar. Aspirants from the BJP, Congress and supporters of Independent MLA Savitri Jindal have expressed their eagerness to contest the post of Mayor.

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The outgoing Mayor, Gautam Sardana — former BJP leader — had contested the Assembly election as Independent and was being seen as a party rebel. Since he is unlikely to get renominated from the BJP, and also does not want to enter the fray, the BJP is seeing a long list of aspirants.

According to BJP leaders, around 80 persons have already applied and are keen to contest the poll, including for the post of Mayor and the municipal corporation members of wards.

For the Mayor's post, 35 contenders have staked their claims. Rajesh Dhamija, an RSS member, is also vying for the post.

The district president of the BJP, Ashok Saini, said a meeting would be held at the BJP office tomorrow to scrutinise the names, and a panel would be sent to the state leadership for the final decision.

Meanwhile, following Savitri Jindal's victory from Hisar, her supporters are also eyeing the Mayor’s seat. Former Mayor Shakuntala Rajliwala and DN Saini, an aide of the Jindal family, approached the BJP for nomination, but their applications were rejected during scrutiny. Sources said the MLA could also have her say in the nomination of a candidate as she had extended support to the government.

Congress leaders, on the other hand, held a meeting recently, but failed to come up with a joint candidate, as the local unit is fraught with factionalism.