Councillors allege that as per rules, a written letter must be issued at least 10 days prior to a ward delimitation board meeting. (File Photo)
The controversy surrounding the proposed ward delimitation of the Mohali Municipal Corporation has intensified, with opposition Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal councillors expressing resentment over the alleged lack of transparency by the Local Government Department. They have accused the department of violating established rules and procedures in convening the ward delimitation board meeting on December 20 in Sector 35, Chandigarh.
Ironically, the ward delimitation board itself includes three members from the ruling Congress team of the Municipal Corporation, including Mayor Amarjit Singh Jeeti Sidhu. Other Congress members on the board are councillors Jaspreet Singh Gill and Kamalpreet Singh Banni.
In the Mayor’s absence, Senior Deputy Mayor Amrik Singh Somal and, thereafter, Deputy Mayor Kuljeet Singh Bedi have been nominated as board members.
Apart from them, MLA Kulwant Singh, two Aam Aadmi Party councillors Aruna Sharma and Gurmeet Kaur, the Deputy Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Parminder Pal Singh Sandhu, several other officials, and former MC Superintendent Bhim Sen are also members of the board. Akali Dal councillor Harjinder Kaur Baidwan, another board member, has also voiced dissatisfaction over the department’s handling of the process.
Another major objection raised is that no maps or supporting data related to ward delimitation were provided to any board member ahead of the meeting. Though not mandatory under rules, Congress councillors alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party, which came to power promising “good governance” is undermining transparency and democratic norms.
Amid growing discontent, there is speculation that upset members may boycott the board meeting and demand that fresh letters be issued strictly as per rules.
Reacting to the issue, Mayor Sidhu said, “I have not received any written letter till date. Today, the letter was sent only through WhatsApp. Along with fellow councillors, we will approach the Local Government Department and demand that the meeting be postponed as per law. The final decision will be taken after reaching there.” The ward delimitation issue in Mohali is now poised to escalate into a sharper political confrontation.
