Congress Faces Influx of Applications for Panchkula Civic Elections
Panchkula witnessed a significant political surge as the Congress party's deadline for candidate applications closed on Thursday. The district unit reported a robust response, with approximately a dozen prominent leaders formally seeking the party's nomination for the prestigious post of Panchkula mayor.
High-Profile Contenders for Mayoral Ticket
The race for the mayoral ticket features several well-known figures from the Haryana Congress. Sudha Bhardwaj, who serves as the president of the Haryana Congress Mahila wing, is among the top aspirants. She is joined by Ravinder Rawal, a former chairman of the Municipal Corporation, and Manveer Kaur Gill, who previously held the position of MC president.
Other notable applicants include Sunita Sharma, a leader from the Congress Seva Dal, and Raj Singh Chauhan, a practicing advocate. Adding to the competitive field, two outgoing councillors, Salim Dabkouri and Akshay Chaudhary, have also thrown their hats into the ring for the mayoral position.
Overwhelming Interest for Councillor Positions
Beyond the mayoral contest, the Congress district office experienced a steady and substantial flow of applications for councillor tickets across Panchkula's twenty wards. The total number of applicants reached an impressive 250, comprising a mix of outgoing councillors, former councillors, and various party leaders eager to secure a ticket.
Sanjay Chauhan, the Congress district president, confirmed these figures, stating that the party has received a strong and enthusiastic response from its members. "All submitted applications will now be forwarded to the Pradesh Congress Committee for a thorough scrutiny process," Chauhan explained.
Rigorous Selection Process Ahead
The selection of final candidates will involve multiple stages of evaluation. After the initial scrutiny by the state committee, field-level feedback will be meticulously gathered from local party workers and constituents before the final candidate list is prepared.
The ultimate decision-making authority rests with a five-member election committee constituted by the party. This high-powered committee includes:
- Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda
- Haryana Congress President Rao Narender Singh
- Member of Parliament Varun Chaudhary
- Legislator Chandermohan
- District President Sanjay Chauhan
Political Context and Upcoming Electoral Battle
The term of the previous BJP-led Municipal Corporation concluded last month, setting the stage for fresh elections anticipated in April, although the official schedule remains unannounced. A legal petition concerning recent ward delimitation, filed by the Congress party, is currently pending before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, adding another layer of complexity to the electoral process.
This electoral contest is expected to be more expansive than previous cycles. Both the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) have declared their intention to contest the Panchkula civic elections using their official party symbols, promising a multi-cornered fight.
Historical Performance and Previous Results
In the last mayoral election, the BJP candidate, Kulbhushan Goyal, emerged victorious by defeating Congress nominee Upinder Kaur Ahluwalia by a margin of 2,057 votes. The BJP secured a majority in the 20-member Municipal House, winning 11 seats with the support of its then-ally, the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP). The Congress managed to secure seven seats, while two seats were won by independent candidates.
The current influx of applications within the Congress indicates a highly motivated party base aiming to reclaim ground in the upcoming Panchkula Municipal Corporation elections.
