After a two-year tenure, Mayor Mohammed Majid Hussain will submit his resignation on Friday, following a direction from his party, the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM). Speculation is rife that he could be fielded by the party in the upcoming Assembly elections.
“Yes, the party took the decision on my resignation and I will do that tomorrow,” Mr. Hussain confirmed on Thursday.
Consequently, current Deputy Mayor G. Raj Kumar of the Congress is likely to take over the reins till the five-year term of the GHMC’s elected council ends in November.
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Mr. Hussain was elected as corporator from Ahmednagar division in the GHMC elections in 2009 and was sworn in as Mayor in January 2012. He moved into the Mayor’s chamber succeeding B. Karthika Reddy of the Congress, as part of a political understanding between the MIM and the Congress.
What next?
News that the Mayor would quit sent the GHMC head office into a tizzy with the corridors agog with speculation on what would happen next.
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Senior officials said the resignation would have to be accepted by a special meeting of the council summoned by the Mayor in his capacity as the presiding officer. Once the council accepts the resignation, the same is forwarded to the government and the State Election Commission (SEC).
“Once the council accepts Mayor’s resignation, the Commissioner informs the government and SEC about the vacancy and seeks necessary orders. Since the election code is in effect, a fresh round of election to the Mayor’s position is ruled out,” an official said, seeking anonymity.
“The Act clearly says that when the Mayor is on leave, on a visit abroad or not available, then his duties are to be performed by the Deputy Mayor. By virtue of the Act, the succession takes place automatically and there is no need for special orders or such formalities”, he adds.
Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Raj Kumar says he was awaiting instructions from the party high command on the future course of action.
“My party is deliberating upon the developments and will take a decision on the issue accordingly. Let’s see what and how it is going to be,” he said.