Preliminary delimitation notification issued, Ambala MC poll on horizon

With the publication of the preliminary notification for the delimitation of the wards of the Ambala Municipal Corporation, Ambala City is set to enter election mode once again.

Earlier in March this year, BJP’s Shailja Sachdeva secured victory in the Ambala Municipal Corporation mayoral by-election, defeating Congress candidate Amisha Chawla by a margin of 20,487 votes. With just 10 months of the house’s tenure left then, the election saw a low voter turnout of 31.9%.

Commissioner of Ambala Municipal Corporation Virender Lather informed that the government has issued the preliminary notification and people can submit their objections and suggestions by December 18 at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office or the Municipal Corporation Ambala. Objections and suggestions after the deadline will not be registered.

BJP leader and Deputy Mayor Rajesh Mehta said there are 20 wards in the Municipal Corporation and the wards have been divided equally. However, if some objections are received, they will be considered. The tenure of the house will complete in January next year. The wards will be reserved in the coming days and interested aspirants will start their preparations accordingly.

While the BJP leaders claimed that the delimitation was done in a fair manner, the Congress leaders have been challenging the ad-hoc committee constituted for the delimitation process.

Councillor Mithun Verma said: "We are not satisfied with the delimitation process and have also moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the ad-hoc committee constituted for the delimitation. In the ad-hoc body, all the members were associated with BJP and no member of the backward class and municipal member of the opposition party were included. The matter will be taken up on December 15. It has also been observed that wardbandi has been done to benefit the BJP leaders and we will submit our objection after studying the entire area on Tuesday.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Ambala MC Shailja Sachdeva said “The entire delimitation process was carried out with transparency but if someone has any objections they can submit their complaint and if the complaint is found legitimate further action will be taken accordingly. The tenure of the house will end on January 13 and if everything goes right the election will be held in February.”