The Congress party in Panchkula has launched a fierce opposition against the recently notified ward delimitation for the Panchkula Municipal Corporation (MC), declaring its intention to legally challenge the move. The party has leveled serious allegations of discrimination against the Scheduled Caste (SC) community and criticized the entire process as flawed and unjust.
Allegations of Deliberate Injustice Against SC Voters
Addressing the media on Sunday, Congress MLA Chandar Mohan announced that the matter will be taken to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The core of the Congress's grievance lies in the reduction of SC-reserved wards. Mohan asserted that according to established norms and the population figures, the city is entitled to four wards reserved for the SC community. However, the new delimitation has cut this number down to only three.
"This is a clear case of injustice and deliberate discrimination against the SCs," Mohan charged during the press conference. He argued that the move undermines fair political representation for the community, which is a violation of constitutional safeguards.
Illogical Ward Boundaries and Civic Failures Highlighted
Beyond the reservation issue, the Congress MLA strongly criticized the methodology used to carve out the new ward boundaries. He alleged that the exercise has resulted in illogical groupings where distant localities have been clubbed into a single ward. This, according to Mohan, forces residents to travel five to six kilometers for routine administrative tasks that require a councillor's signature, causing significant public inconvenience.
Mohan further slammed the Panchkula Municipal Corporation for its persistent failure to address basic civic issues plaguing the city. He presented a grim picture of the local administration's performance, listing multiple problems:
- Unchecked stray cattle menace
- Rising population of stray dogs
- Poor maintenance of public parks and roads
- Increasing incidents of theft and open drug peddling
"Cows feed on rubbish, stray dogs are multiplying, and the drug trade is flourishing openly," the MLA alleged, highlighting the deteriorating law and order and civic situation.
Political Accusations and Upcoming Poll Battle
The Congress leader did not spare the state's BJP leadership either. He took a dig at the frequent visits by the Chief Minister and other ministers to the city, claiming these trips yield no tangible development for Panchkula. "Police remain busy with protocol duties while ministers come, have refreshments, and leave," he remarked sarcastically.
Mohan also accused the ruling BJP of deliberately delaying elections for the posts of deputy mayor and senior deputy mayor within the MC out of fear of facing defeat. Expressing confidence ahead of the upcoming municipal polls, he asserted that the Congress is poised to secure the mayor's position and a majority of councillor seats.
Adding to the concerns, Congress leader Dr. Ram Prasad raised alarms over the growing problem of drug abuse in residential colonies. He also made a political charge, alleging that MLA Chandar Mohan is systematically excluded from official government programs, while defeated BJP candidates are often invited to inaugurate projects.
