Amid poaching fears & ahead of mayrol poll, BJP shifts Solan MC councillors to undisclosed location
Shimla, July 1
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reportedly shifted its newly elected councillors of the Solan Municipal Corporation to an undisclosed location in either Dehradun or a hotel in neighbouring Sirmaur district, a day ahead of the election to the posts of Mayor and Deputy Mayor, amid apprehensions of possible poaching by rival political parties.
According to BJP sources, the party has moved its councillors as a precautionary measure to prevent any cross-voting during Thursday’s election. While the exact location has been kept confidential, party leaders are said to be closely monitoring the councillors until the polling is completed.
Sources within the BJP said Sushama Sharma is likely to be the party’s nominee for the post of Mayor, while the post of Deputy Mayor may be offered to an Independent councillor to secure a comfortable majority in the House.
Party insiders further claimed that the BJP leadership had asked its councillors to surrender their mobile phones to avoid any contact from rival parties. However, the councillors reportedly refused to part with their phones. Despite this, they were shifted to the undisclosed location under strict party supervision.
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor election assumes significance as the BJP seeks to retain control of the Solan Municipal Corporation despite legal uncertainty surrounding two of its councillors.
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According to party sources, complaints alleging encroachment have been filed against two BJP councillors after they assumed office. However, no disqualification notices have been issued to them so far by the competent authority.
A senior advocate of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, familiar with the matter, said the alleged encroachments are minor in nature and are already under consideration by the authorities. He indicated that if any move is made to disqualify the two councillors before or during the election process, the BJP is likely to immediately approach the Himachal Pradesh High Court seeking relief.
Political observers believe the developments reflect the high political stakes attached to the Solan Municipal Corporation, where every vote is expected to be crucial in deciding the Mayor and Deputy Mayor elections.
Neither the BJP nor the State Election Commission had officially commented on the reported shifting of councillors or the speculation surrounding the party’s strategy till the time of filing this report.
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