In Nalagarh, Congress springs a surprise

Tribune News Service
Solan, January 13

The Congress today sprung a surprise in Nalagarh by roping in the support of an Independent as well as a BJP-supported candidate to attain the magic figure of five. This will enable them to elect their president and vice-president in the civic body.

Ahead of the January 18 poll for the two key posts, local Congress MLA Lakhwinder Rana spearheaded the move and managed to seek the support of Vandana Bansal and Mahesh Gautam, both of whom were former Congress leaders.

The three Congress-supported candidates- Alka Verma, Rina Sharma and Amarinder Singh under the leadership of MLA Rana and Indian National Trade Union Congress president Hardeep Bawa met at Nurpur Bedi.

In a bid to appease everyone, all five have been promised top posts in turns.

Rana told The Tribune that all five elected members had decided to share the post of president for two-and-a-half year each by Vandana Bansal and Alka Verma, while Mahesh Gautam would be made the vice-president for the first three years. He would be followed by Amarinder Singh and Rina Sharma for one year each.

The ruling BJP, which had won the highest number of four seats, has been made to eat a humble pie. It remains to be seen if the ruling party could spring any surprise on January 18 when the president and vice-president will be officially elected.

This is the second shocker for the ruling party in Solan district after Parwanoo civic body rout.