Two former Mayors of Chandigarh are in for tough electoral challenge in the next elections of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation as the wards represented by
them were declared reserved by the State Election Commission on Friday.
The draw for reservation of wards for reserved categories yielded a shock to former Mayor Subhash Chawla and Poonam Sharma, as their ward number 5 and 7 were declared reserved. Both the former Mayors will have to find a suitable ward for themselves to test their political fortunes in the MC elections slated at the end of this year.
Out of total 26 wards in Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, 12 wards have been declared reserved for women and schedule castes. The State Election Commission held the draw for reserving the wards on Friday.
After the draw Ward number 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17 and 23 have been declared reserved for different categories.
The Model Code of Conduct will come into effect from November 15 in the city. Commission has enhanced the poll expenditure limit of every candidate to Rs 3.25 lac which was earlier Rs 1.75 lac.
As per the draw, ward number 2, 4, 9, 12, 13, 15 & 17 have been reserved for women in general category while ward number 5 and 6 have been reserved for SC women. Ward number 7, 11, 23 are declared reserved for SC men.
The allotment of reserved wards is being seen as a setback to Congress, as four wards won by its members in last MC elections, have been reserved this time. 4 wards represented by BJP councilors and one each by SAD and BSP have also been declared reserved.
This is going to be the fifth poll for Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, which was constituted in 1996.