The Hindu : Lobbying on for Mayor's post

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 02, 2003

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Lobbying on for Mayor's post

By Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI APRIL 1. Even as there is a mad scramble in Delhi Congress to claim credit for Sunday's successful rally, trouble is brewing on another front with the "promotional exercise'' for selecting the first citizen of Delhi from among the Congress Councillors in MCD turning into a murkier affair threatening to sharply divide the party in a crucial election year.

Buoyed by the success of the "Desh Bachao'' rally, a rat race is on to claim credit for its success. In fact, what is most surprising is that many of the senior leaders, who did nothing but make inspections of the venue during the last few days, are claiming credit for mobilising crowds.

``It is unfortunate that instead of giving credit to the grassroot workers, block and district presidents, Councillors and MLAs for the success of the rally, these paper tigers are trying to hog the limelight. All mobilisation was done at the behest of the Delhi Government which provided the buses and logistics to make the rally a success. But these leaders, whose support among the people is suspect, stop at nothing,'' a senior Minister remarked.

Meanwhile, various factions have stepped up the exercise in the recent days to have their representative installed as the next Mayor of Delhi and accusations are flying thick and fast in the party that money bags are playing an active role indicating the high stakes in the Corporation. The election for the Mayor is scheduled on April 7 and the Congress in Delhi is totally divided as to who will be the next Mayor. Last date for filing of nominations for the post is April 2.

In fact, party men and Councillors have alleged that merit and loyalty are being overlooked and money and muscle power are playing a big role which could cost the party dearly in the Assembly polls scheduled later this year.

What is most shocking is that the "consultation process'' set in motion by the AICC general secretary in-charge Delhi, Kamal Nath, does not give any role for the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, who has been completely sidelined and not consulted on the issue. In fact, it is the senior party leaders who are trying to have their man installed in order to remote control the Corporation.

Many of the senior leaders have joined hands to oppose the Chief Minister on the issue and are determined to have their way. "The high command is not being fed with facts and information. The leadership should take a decision on the issue and not leave the matter to the Delhi leaders. A wrong message should not be sent out in a crucial election year and it is important that right kind of people should be promoted instead of those trying to make it on the basis of their influence or financial backing,'' a senior MCD leader who led a delegation to the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, recently remarked.

While a section of the party is in favour of giving another term to the present incumbent, Jaishree Panwar, for taking a tough line against the Sangh Parviar and the BJP, the others are for a change. The names of Standing Committee member, Bijender Singh, a loyalist of former MP, Sajjan Kumar, and Deputy Chairman Standing Committee, Ashok Jain, backed by the DPCC president, Subhash Chopra, have come up for active discussion. But another faction wants that if the present Mayor is not given any extension, then the new Mayor should also be a woman to keep this vote bank intact for the party during the Assembly polls.

``The party high command should take a decision on the issue after consulting all the Councillors individually and taking the Chief Minister and others into confidence. Any unilateral decision at the State level would adversely affect the party and create more bad blood within the party,'' another Minister stated.

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