BJP, Cong candidates file nomination papers
Sanjeev K. Sharma
JAMMU, Oct 17: The candidates of BJP and Congress today filed their nomination papers for the posts of Mayor and Deputy Mayor in Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), election of which is scheduled for October 21, 2022.
The J&K BJP had yesterday announced its candidates for the posts of JMC Mayor and Deputy Mayor by declaring Councillor of Ward number 16, Rajinder Sharma as candidate for the post of Mayor and that of Ward number 56, Baldev Singh Bilowria for the post of Deputy Mayor and these Councillors today filed their nomination papers.
Also, Congress chief whip in General House of JMC, Dwarka Chowdhary of Ward number 46 has filed his nomination papers for the post of Mayor and Sonika Sharma of Ward number 30 has filed her nomination papers for the post of Deputy Mayor.
In a new development, the Independent candidates Anu Bali, Councillor of Ward 24 and Amit Gupta, Councillor of Ward 19 who were supposed to contest for the post of Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively today withdrew their decision to contest the elections in favour of BJP candidate Rajinder Sharma, contesting for the post of Mayor, claiming him to be honest and upright person who is expected to work with dedication.
Both Bali and Gupta when contacted said that they will support Sharma as an individual and have nothing to do with his party BJP.
“About 12 Independent Councillors have announced to extend their support to BJP and out of 73 Councillors, BJP is likely to get more than 60 votes in favour of its candidates,” BJP J&K president, Ravinder Raina claimed.
Senior BJP leaders including Kavinder Gupta, Sat Sharma, Priya Sethi, Yudhvir Sethi and others were also present at the office of JMC Secretary where the candidates of BJP and Congress have submitted their duly filled nomination forms.
Sources informed that senior Congress leaders were not present on the occasion as they were busy with election for national president of Congress.
Though from the total 75 Councillors of JMC, one from BJP and another Independent have died while some including Independents have joined either BJP or Congress.
Still the BJP has about 44 members ensuring easy victory to its candidates while number of Independents is just 15 while Congress has presently 13 members as two of Congress Councillors have left the party to join newly floated Democratic Azad Party.
Election for Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be held on October 21, 2022 at 11 am by means of open ballot.
Many Councillors have expressed resentment against the open ballot system of holding elections for the posts of Mayor and Deputy Mayor and have termed it as murder of democracy.
They have suggested secret ballot system as per the norms of democracy for holding these elections.
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