Kapurthala’s first Mayoral candidate: Rana Gurjit to take call

Kapurthala: After winning 45 wards out of 50 in the Kapurthala Municipal Corporation poll, it will be MLA Rana Gurjit Singh, who will decide on the name of first Mayor from the city. Though Rana is yet to open his cards, the buzz is that it could either be second-time councillor Narinder Singh Mansu (62), or Manish Aggarwal, who won the election from Ward No. 8 unopposed. Mansu has an edge as he not only won again from Ward No. 34,

but his son, Rahul Kumar (25), got elected from Ward No.32 in Shiekhupura. Aggarwal’s strength lies in the fact that his father and grandfather had been chiefs of Kapurthala civic

body earlier. Both Mansu and Aggarwal were learnt to have been making claims. Mansu’s son Rahul said, “Though it will be Rana’s call, but my father is among topmost claimants as he is the seniormost among the elected councillors.” Of the 45 winners, as many as 40 candidates were first-timers. It was for the first time that 50 per cent seats were reserved for women candidates. As a result, it’s still not clear whether Congress would want a woman on the Mayoral post.

“If that will be the case, a few names are doing rounds. Savita Chaudhary’s name tops among women. Jyoti Dhir, who switched from Akali Dal and contested from Congress, and Manjit Kaur, are also doing rounds,” said a party insider. Asked about the same, Rana maintained, “The party is to first clarify the strategy for electing Mayoral candidates and issue us directions. There can be reservation for women candidates or even caste-based strategic decisions for the Mayoral post. So, till the time a decision comes from the top, we cannot decide anything at our end. In any case, the final call will be taken after calling a meeting of all the winning candidates.” TNS