With the State election commission declaring civic election schedule, battle for mayoral post of the municipal corporation of Haldwani (MCH) begins within the Haldwani unit of the BJP. The list of candidates for councillors is yet to be announced by the BJP here, but senior party leader of BJP and former councillor of the municipal council of Haldwani Harish Chandra Pande has thrown hat in the ring, presenting his candidature for the mayoral post of the MCH.
“I have been an active member of the BJP for the past 33 years and I have worked with sincerity during these years for the party. Therefore, given my loyalty to the party and more importantly my contribution to the society, I hope the party would definitely approve my candidature for the Haldwani’s mayoral position,” Pande expressed hope.
“I have already approached my party leadership on this issue and I have been given assurances that my name is under serious consideration. Therefore, I am hopeful that the party would definitely repose its faith in me as I have also worked with municipal council of Haldwani as councillor between 1988 and 1993 too.”
There are many other contenders within the BJP seeking candidatures of the Mayor of MCH. Therefore, it is to be seen who gets the ticket for this aforesaid post.
Meanwhile, talking about his vision for improving civic health of city, Pande said ensuring cleanliness of different wards will be his top priority.
Besides, the senior BJP leader added, to improve economic health of the newly upgraded MCH will also be on the top of his priority list. “I have come to know that presently the MCH is running into acute financial crisis. That is why my top priority would be to explore new sources of revenue without putting additional burden on citizens,” he added.
As per the civic poll schedule of the State Government, nomination process will be completed between April 8, 2013 and April 12, 2013, while scrutiny of the nomination papers will be held on April 13, 2013.
Similarly, the candidates may withdraw their candidatures from the fray on April 15, 2013, while symbols will be allotted to the candidates on April 16, 2013. Voting will be held on April 28, while counting of votes will take place on April 30, 2013.
Earlier, the High Court of Uttarakhand (HCU) in its order of March 19 this year also directed the State Government to hold the civic polls in due course of time and now the polls are being held as per the directions of the High Court..