- विज्ञापन -
Amritsar: The controversy over the election of Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor in Amritsar Municipal Corporation is not coming to an end. The double bench of Punjab and Haryana High Court will hear this case again today (Thursday). On February 20, the bench of Justice Sudhir Singh and Sukhwinder Kaur heard the matter and reserved the decision.
In the municipal elections held on 27 January 2025, Jitendra Singh Moti Bhatia was elected Mayor, Priyanka Sharma Senior Deputy Mayor and Anita Rani Deputy Mayor. But Congress councilor Vikas Soni filed a petition in the High Court on January 28 demanding cancellation of the election. He alleges that despite the Congress having a majority, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government forcibly declared its candidates victorious.
Hearing so far in High Court
On January 29, the double bench of the High Court heard the case for the first time, but no notice of motion was issued then. On February 10, the court announced that the notice of motion would be uploaded on February 11. In the order, it was decided to hold the next hearing on April 21. After this, the lawyers of Congress councilor Vikas Soni appealed for an early hearing, which was accepted and the hearing was scheduled for February 20.
Congress accuses AAP of rigging the elections
Congress has made serious allegations against Aam Aadmi Party regarding the election process. Congress leaders had released voting videos and CCTV footage and claimed that AAP councillors did not take oath during the swearing-in ceremony. This video was made on the orders of the High Court. Congress alleges that AAP ignored the court orders and forcibly swung the election in its favour.
AAP leaders and municipal officials accused of collusion
Congress councillors claim that before the elections, a meeting of AAP leaders was held at MK Hotel in Amritsar, in which municipal corporation officer Rajinder Sharma and other officials were also present. Congress alleged that apart from Amritsar, such rigging took place in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Phagwara and other districts during the elections.
Municipal election results
In the Amritsar Municipal Corporation elections held on 21 December 2024, Congress got 40 seats, Aam Aadmi Party 24, BJP 9, Akali Dal 4 and Independents 8 seats. Later 7 independents and 2 BJP councillors joined AAP, while 1 independent joined Congress.
The post of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor is in limbo
Mayor Jitendra Singh Moti Bhatia took charge on January 28, but Senior Deputy Mayor Priyanka Sharma and Deputy Mayor Anita Rani have not yet taken charge. Now the situation will be clear only after the decision of the High Court.
