Ambala's First Female Mayor Exits Office with Legal Challenge
Ambala City witnessed a dramatic end to a historic term this week. Outgoing Mayor Shailja Sachdeva concluded her tenure not with celebrations but with a legal broadside. She served a formal notice to the municipal commissioner, accusing local bureaucrats of undermining her authority.
Allegations of Systemic Disrespect and Project Delays
Shailja Sachdeva made history as Ambala City's first elected female mayor. Her eleven-month tenure, however, ended in controversy. She claims officials systematically disrespected her position. The mayor alleges they favored defeated political rivals instead of cooperating with her administration.
Sachdeva states she faced complete sidelining during official events. Authorities allegedly invited former MLAs for foundation-stone laying ceremonies. This action violated established government protocols. The sitting mayor should have received these ceremonial honours according to the rules.
The legal notice highlights hundreds of pending development works. Sachdeva blames a deliberate lack of administrative cooperation for these delays. Key public infrastructure projects remain stalled. This includes the critical regularization of several unauthorized colonies. Local residents have long awaited this regularization, but administrative "dilly-dallying" keeps it in limbo.
Claims of "Shadow Governance" and Political Interference
Mayor Sachdeva points to specific political interference. She alleges an alliance formed between the commissioner's office and a senior BJP member. This BJP figure recently lost his bid for the state assembly. Sachdeva claims this "rejected" politician received undue favor, sabotaging her elected mandate.
Her husband and political adviser, Sandeep Sachdeva, offered further insight. He suggested the friction stemmed from their rigorous, hands-on approach to governance. He cited a specific three-month overnight operation to fix Ambala's chronic waterlogging issues. This direct action reportedly did not sit well with the established bureaucratic system.
"We took a very hands-on approach to solve public problems," Sandeep Sachdeva implied. "This rigorous method apparently caused discomfort within the traditional administrative framework."
Silence from the Commissioner's Office and Regional Contrast
Despite the high-profile legal challenge, the municipal commissioner's office has maintained silence. Local media efforts to obtain a comment proved unsuccessful. Phone messages and inquiries went unanswered, leaving the allegations officially uncontested.
This contentious exit starkly contrasts with transitions in neighbouring districts. The terms for elected bodies in Sonipat and Panchkula also expired this Monday. However, their civic representatives completed their terms on a positive note. They focused on laying groundwork for the next election cycle and ensuring smooth power transitions.
While mayors in Panchkula and Sonipat exited gracefully, Ambala's mayor departs under a cloud. Her exit is marked by legal disputes and serious allegations of administrative sabotage.
Temporary Power Vacuum Across Key Municipal Hubs
A broader administrative situation now unfolds across Haryana. The state government has yet to announce appointments for administrators. These officials are needed to oversee the municipal corporations following the expiry of elected terms.
This delay creates a temporary power vacuum. The day-to-day governance of Ambala, Panchkula, and Sonipat currently exists in a state of flux. Residents await clarity on who will manage civic affairs until new elections are held.
The story of Ambala's mayor highlights tensions between elected representatives and permanent bureaucracy. It raises questions about political interference in local administration. All eyes now turn to the state government's next move and the commissioner's formal response to the legal notice.
