Patiala, December 1

Mayor Sanjeev Sharma Bittu has reiterated his claims to contest the upcoming Assembly elections from the Patiala rural seat. The mayor made the declaration when he reached the MC office on Wednesday after a hearing of his plea over his stated ‘suspension’ from mayorship (as per MC General House proceedings) in the Punjab and Haryana high court. The state government in the court today stated he had not been suspended. The next date of hearing is December 6.

Bittu was joined by Capt Amarinder Singh’s daughter Jai Inder Kaur and other local leaders. Training his guns at the Local Bodies Minister Brahm Mohindra, who is an MLA from the constituency, Bittu said the Municipal Corporation office was turned into a jail on November 25. “The officials, joined by the police and MC staff, created a ruckus. We will ensure action is initiated against those responsible,” he said.

Brahm Mohindra responded, “I don’t want to comment on the court proceedings as the matter is sub judice. I have also heard the court has not granted any stay.”

Bittu said he would continue to function as the city mayor till the matter is in the court. Advocates representing the state government in the High Court said a final decision on the Mayor’s suspension had not been taken.

They said Bittu, under the present circumstances, could continue on the post till the next hearing. Advocate-General DS Patwalia submitted the government had received the resolution by the counsellors. But the state was yet to apply its mind. The case will now come up for hearing on December 6. So far, the Bench has not granted a stay. — TNS