Hrs before HC orders: BJP, Cong go ahead with nomination process

Chandigarh: Prior to the Punjab and Haryana high court's rescheduling of Chandigarh mayoral polls, BJP and Congress nominees submitted their nomination papers for various positions to the Chandigarh municipal corporation secretary on Monday. The AAP chose not to participate in the nomination process, and their councillors, despite being present in the MC building, did not join Congress candidates during nominations.
The previous notification issued by the deputy commissioner regarding the Jan 24 mayoral election and related activities was nullified following HC directives. The DC will subsequently announce a new schedule and procedures for the mayoral elections.
The MC has communicated to the DC regarding Monday's nominations, providing comprehensive details about the candidates, their proposers, seconders and other pertinent information.
Congress representatives arrived first at the MC office for nominations. As per their alliance with AAP, Congress only filed nominations for senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor positions, leaving the mayor's post for AAP. Jasbir Singh alias Bunty and Taruna Mehta filed papers for senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor posts, respectively, with MC secretary G S Sodhi.
BJP councillor Harpreet Kaur Babla submitted nomination for mayor, while Bimala Dubey and Lakhvir Singh alias Billu filed for senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor positions, respectively. Senior BJP leaders, including new Chandigarh president Jatinder Pal Malhotra, were present during the nomination filing process. Senior leader Satya Pal Jain skipped the event.
Box: ‘It was AAP's decision to abstain'
"It is our party's decision not to participate in the nomination process due to the order of the Punjab and Haryana high court. Now we are waiting for the fresh orders of the Chandigarh administration in this regard, following which the next course of action will be planned," an AAP councillor told TOI. Most AAP councillors remained in the mayor's office on the fifth floor of the MC building, accompanied by senior party leaders including AAP's Chandigarh co-in-charge and president.