Mohali January 14:
Even though the SAD-BJP coalition government has done its bit to upgrade Mohali municipal council to a municipal corporation by issuing a notification and appointing a commissioner, the state's chief opposition party, Congress, which incidentally lost the office of erstwhile council by virtue of the notification, is poised to move court seeking a stay in the matter.
Congress-backed councillors like former president Rajinder Singh Rana believe that including additional areas would negate Congress influence in the assembly constituency, allowing SAD-backed councillors to have a free run. Also, it is being increasingly felt that the growing influence of Mohali district planning board chairman and Zirakpur MC president Narinder Kumar Sharma would be further enhanced if Zirakpur, Derabassi and nearby areas were allowed to become a part of municipal corporation as Sharma has a massive real estate presence in Zirakpur.
SAD councillors, on the other hand, are of the view that the enhancement of the existing council to a corporation taking Zirakpur, Derabassi and other adjacent areas within its ambit would provide a much-needed boost to development. Sources say the move is part of a bigger plan to safeguard Mohali for the state assembly polls scheduled for February 2012. Congress councillors feel that by moving HC, they would be able to resume office till their tenure runs out in August later this year.
Even though the SAD-BJP coalition government has done its bit to upgrade Mohali municipal council to a municipal corporation by issuing a notification and appointing a commissioner, the state's chief opposition party, Congress, which incidentally lost the office of erstwhile council by virtue of the notification, is poised to move court seeking a stay in the matter.
Congress-backed councillors like former president Rajinder Singh Rana believe that including additional areas would negate Congress influence in the assembly constituency, allowing SAD-backed councillors to have a free run. Also, it is being increasingly felt that the growing influence of Mohali district planning board chairman and Zirakpur MC president Narinder Kumar Sharma would be further enhanced if Zirakpur, Derabassi and nearby areas were allowed to become a part of municipal corporation as Sharma has a massive real estate presence in Zirakpur.
SAD councillors, on the other hand, are of the view that the enhancement of the existing council to a corporation taking Zirakpur, Derabassi and other adjacent areas within its ambit would provide a much-needed boost to development. Sources say the move is part of a bigger plan to safeguard Mohali for the state assembly polls scheduled for February 2012. Congress councillors feel that by moving HC, they would be able to resume office till their tenure runs out in August later this year.
