Shimla, June 20: Keen to poach BJP backed councillors to be able to gain control over the prestigious Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC), the Congress suffered a major setback as one of its own rebel councillors on Monday joined hands with the saffron party. Sanjay Parmar, who won as an Independent from the Kachhighatti ward, had remained a nominated councillor in the outgoing House of the SMC. Having been denied backing of the Congress party, he had contested as an independent and won the polls. The Congress poll managers were caught unawares when they got news that Parmar had formally joined the BJP at its party office in Chakkar.
The Congress with 12 of its own backed Councillors was hoping to get the support of the three Independent councilors – Sanjay Parmar, Rachna and Sharda Chauhan (all Congress rebels) and one CPM backed candidate Shelly Sharma. With the support of these 16 councillors, the local Congress leaders had been on the lookout to entice a BJP-backed councillor, when they were brought under heavy guard to the Bachat Bhawan for the oath and election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
The BJP has 17 of its own councillors and support of two independents in a house of 34.“The councillor from Kachhighati, Sanjay Parmar has, on his own, unconditionally joined the BJP in the presence of all senior leaders including former CM PK Dhumal and state BJP president Satpal Singh Satti,” said Rajiv Bindal, MLA and state BJP spokesperson. He added that with Parmar formally joining the BJP, the number of party backed councilors has gone up to 19, which will pave the way for formation of a BJP-led MC.
“The public has given mandate in favour of the BJP and the Congress will never succeed in its mission of forming the MC, using illegal and unfair means,” warned Bindal. He added that the Congress must exhibit grace and accept defeat.On the other hand, CM Virbhadra Singh, HPCC president Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu along with senior party leaders held meeting with the 12 party-backed councillors and the two independent councillors at “Oak Over”, the official residence of the Chief Minister.
The lone CPM councilor Shelly Sharma was not present in the Congress camp.Despite knowing that some of its own councillors could be in touch with BJP leaders, the Congress failed to keep them out of bounds of the saffron party. “The manner in which the BJP has caged its councillors is virtual murder of democracy. It appears that they do not have faith on their own men despite having majority,” remarked Congress president Sukhu.
Source Tribune India
