Panchkula Municipal Elections: Mayor's Race Gains Momentum
With the mayor's position in the Panchkula municipal corporation recently declared unreserved, political activity across the city has significantly intensified in the run-up to the crucial municipal elections. As the polling date approaches, numerous probable and aspirant candidates have amplified their outreach efforts, actively participating in public events and conducting strategic meetings with senior party leaders to bolster their electoral prospects.
Major Parties Begin Candidate Selection Process
Key political parties have initiated internal deliberations to finalize their nominees, transforming the mayoral contest into a closely monitored political battle. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress are anticipated to mount formidable campaigns, proceeding with caution as they evaluate their strategic options.
Congress Party's Deliberations and Potential Candidates
Following improved performances in the recent Lok Sabha and Haryana assembly elections, the Congress party has commenced serious discussions after establishing its state executive and a 37-member district body. According to party insiders, several prominent names are under active consideration for the mayoral candidacy:
- Former municipal council chairman Ravinder Rawal
- Haryana Mahila Congress president Sudha Bhardwaj
- Manish Bansal, son of former Union minister Pawan Bansal
- Senior councillors including Salim Dabkouri
BJP's Candidate Selection Process Intensifies
The BJP has escalated its candidate selection exercise following a recent core committee meeting held in Delhi. Party sources indicate that several senior leaders are being considered for the mayoral ticket:
- Former mayor Kulbhushan Goyal
- Senior leaders Ranjita Mehta, Shyam Lal Bansal, Anil Thapar, and Deepak Sharma
Multiple former councillors and office-bearers have reportedly submitted their performance records to the party leadership for evaluation. Sources reveal that the final decision regarding the BJP's mayoral candidate will be made by the state unit with necessary approval from the party's high command.
Other Political Parties Enter the Fray
Beyond the two major national parties, leaders from various other political outfits are also positioning themselves for the mayor's post. According to political observers:
- Former Congress mayor Upinder Kaur Ahluwalia is preparing for the contest
- Senior Congress leader Manvir Kaur Gill is considering entering the race
- Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) district president OP Sihag has emerged as a potential candidate
Within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), district president Rajiv Manocha and Ambala president Surender Rathi are among the names being discussed for the mayoral candidacy. Additionally, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) state treasurer Manoj Agarwal has surfaced as another contender in what promises to be a multi-cornered contest.
The political landscape in Panchkula continues to evolve as parties finalize their strategies and candidates intensify their campaigns, setting the stage for a competitive municipal election that will shape the city's governance for the coming term.
