The Congress Government in Madhya Pradesh is facing problems with the new amendment in the urban bodies elections where it has been proposed to indirectly elect Mayors.
On September 25, Madhya Pradesh cabinet had given nod to an amendment in MP Municipalities Act 1961 to ensure from now on the civic bodies heads would be elected through indirect poll.
Till now the chairperosns of municipalities and Mayors of municipal corporations are directed by the public through direct polls.
As a result, the civic bodies’ heads would not be elected by the public and instead the elected councillors and corporators would get the chance to elect the one who would head the civic body concerned.
The cabinet that met on Wednesday has cleared an amendment in the civic bodes’ act, said Public Relations minister PC Sharma after the meeting. Soon after this decision was taken, the main opposition party in the State assembly, BJP opposed it saying this would promote horse-trading in the municipal councils.
Later, on Friday, a delegation of the BJP had called on Governor Lalji Tandon and submitted a memorandum stating they oppose the amendment in procedure of election of mayors in the civic bodies across the state. They urged the governor not to sign the ordinance proposed by the state government. Official sources said that the Governor has made up his mind not to clear the amendment in the Act and he has issued a letter to the government seeking clarification on few points.
Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Ashok Varnwal had also called on the Governor on Saturday, but he (Governor), did not agree on signing the amendment file. Besides, Urban Development and Administration Minister Jaivardhan Singh had also called on the Governor on Friday, but to no avail.