Gurgaon: Punjab and Haryana high court has scheduled the hearing of a contempt petition on Thursday after MCG failed to conduct elections for the posts of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor within the time it had assured the court it would do so.In Feb earlier this year, the high court sought a response from MCG on when it could hold the polls. In response, on March 5, the civic body informed the court they would conduct the elections within eight weeks.Now, the contempt plea is listed for hearing on Aug 6 before the high court. The outcome of the hearing is expected to determine the corporation’s course of action regarding the elections, which have already been delayed for more than a year.On April 30, MCG had convened a special House meeting to elect the senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor. However, despite 32 of the corporation’s 36 councillors being present, the election was deferred after Mayor Raj Rani Malhotra stayed away citing medical reasons. After waiting for nearly an hour, councillors formally announced the postponement of the exercise. The deferment came even as the high court’s deadline had effectively expired, raising questions over why the civic body failed to honour the commitment made before the court.What made the episode more contentious was the contrasting incidents from neighbouring Manesar, where deputy mayor elections had proceeded last year under the chairmanship of MCM commissioner despite the mayor and several councillors remaining absent. MCG officials, however, maintained that Haryana Municipal Corporation Election Rules required the mayor’s presence, a position that fuelled allegations of selective interpretation of norms to accommodate political compulsions.Meanwhile, MCG has called a meeting on Thursday in which the action taken reports of the previous meeting will be taken up by the House.
