ASHISHPURI
In a major political set back to Mla Rana Gurjeet Singh Congress councillor Narinder Singh Manso was elected Mayor of the Kapurthala Municipal Corporation on Wednesday with the support of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). AAP councillor Sameer Sharma was elected Deputy Mayor, while Congress councillor Kamakshi Duggal was chosen as Senior Deputy Mayor.
The outcome has triggered intense political activity in the city, with political observers attributing the result to the support of AAP and a group of rebel Congress councillors believed to be close to Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjit Singh. The development is being viewed as a significant setback for the MLA's political camp.
The Congress had emerged as the single largest party in the Municipal Corporation elections by winning 32 of the 50 seats. However, in the run-up to the mayoral election, speculation was rife over political realignments, cross-voting, and possible defections among councillors.
Following the announcement of the results, MLA Rana Gurjit Singh strongly objected to the election process, alleging that it was conducted illegally. Claiming to enjoy the support of 26 councillors in addition to his own vote, he asserted that his camp had a total strength of 27 votes, while the rival side had only 24. Questioning the legitimacy of the election, he presented the councillors supporting him before the media and publicly counted their numbers. He also announced that he would challenge the election in the Punjab and Haryana High Court
On the other hand, newly elected Mayor Narinder Singh Manso expressed gratitude to the Aam Aadmi Party and other supporting councillors for backing his candidature. He said his foremost priority would be the overall development of Kapurthala city and assured that civic infrastructure and public welfare projects would be taken up on a priority basis through the Municipal Corporation.
The mayoral election has significantly altered the political equations in Kapurthala, with the new alliance between Congress and AAP reshaping the city's municipal power structure. The legal challenge announced by Rana Gurjit Singh is expected to keep the political contest alive in the coming days.
