Hisar MC polls: Independents may be game-changers

HISAR: After the announcement of the Congress not contesting MC elections on the party symbol, candidates vying for the ticket will now face each other as independents. Four ticket seekers have announced they will contest as independents and others are also preparing for the same.

On November 28, state Congress president Ashok Tanwar called a meeting of Congressmen who sought ticket for the post of mayor and ward councillors and sought applications. Bijendra Kadian was responsible for shortlisting of applications. On the first day, 18 applications were received for the mayor’s ticket.

Arvind Khirta, former chairman of the erstwhile Hisar MC said he was prepared to contest for the post of mayor as an independent and has set up his election office near Dabra Chowk. He said he would file his nomination with supporters soon.

Former minister Hari Singh Saini, who sought the Mayor’s ticket for his daughter-in-law Rekha Saini (ex-councillor), said he would ensure an opportunity for her. In response to a question, he said they would contest with or without a ticket.

Shakuntala Rajlivala also sought a Congress ticket and is now preparing to contest as an independent. Former councillor Bir Singh Khaylia, who sought a Congress ticket, said the final decision will be taken by former minister Savitri Jindal.

Bihari Lal Rara, former chairman of then municipal council of Hisar, who sought a Congress ticket, said while preparations had been made, he would decide after getting support from the party.

The entire BJP team is seeking votes for Gautam Sardana for the post of mayor. Four years ago, Sardana contested assembly elections against BJP legislator Dr Kamal Gupta.

He joined the BJP about a month and a half ago and was made candidate for the mayor’s post. Soon after, a public meeting was held in Sector 15, Hisar on Sunday. MLA Kamal Gupta was in Delhi at the time but his wife Pratibha Gupta attended the meeting and demanded votes for Sardana, who had opposed her husband in the last assembly elections. Apart from this, Rajya Sabha MP D P Vats and other BJP functionaries also pitched in for Sardana.

In the 2014 Hisar assembly elections, Dr Kamal Gupta got 42,285 votes, while Savitri Jindal of the Congress got 28,639 and Gautam Sardana from HJC got 28,476 votes. In the 2009 election, Savitri Jindal secured 32,866 votes and become Congress MLA, while Gautam Sardana secured second place with 18,138 votes as an independent candidate.