First-timer picked Batala mayor

Tribune News Service

Batala, April 20

First-time councillor Sukhdeep Singh Teja has been unanimously elected the first-ever mayor of Batala. His appointment had the stamp of approval of PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar.

Teja’s success story was scripted by Cabinet Minister Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa, who prevailed upon dominant Hindu community to let his man occupy the top civic body post. Four-time councillor Sunil Sareen, a Hindu Khatri, was appointed senior deputy mayor. Observers term Chander Kanta’s selection as deputy mayor as Bajwa’s political masterstroke as he accommodated both an SC and a woman candidate in one slot.

Normally, out of the three slots, one is reserved for a general category candidate, while the remaining two are the domain of SC and woman candidates.

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