Panchkula: Nearly three months after the formation of the new municipal corporation, Panchkula is still awaiting the election of its senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor, raising fresh questions over the prolonged vacancy of two key posts in the civic body’s hierarchy.The delay is noteworthy because this is the second consecutive MC term in which the two posts have remained unfilled. During the previous five-year term, elections for the senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor were never held despite repeated demands from the opposition and residents’ groups.The issue has resurfaced at a time when the BJP enjoys a comfortable majority in the newly elected house, unlike the previous term when political uncertainty and the possibility of opposition-backed candidates winning the posts were cited as reasons for the delay.The absence of the two office-bearers has drawn criticism from residents, who say senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor are meant to support the mayor and serve as additional points of contact for the public on civic issues.The controversy over the posts dates back to Nov 2024, when elections scheduled for the two positions were called off at the last minute after the returning officer, then joint commissioner Simranjit Kaur, reportedly fell ill. The Congress had termed the move a “murder of democracy”, alleging that the elections were deliberately stalled. No fresh elections were held for the remainder of the term.With the BJP now firmly in control of the house, expectations were that the vacancies would be filled soon after the civic polls. However, sources indicated that the presence of multiple aspirants within the ruling party could be one of the factors delaying a decision.Mayor Sham Lal Bansal said the matter was linked to decisions concerning municipal corporations across the state and that the Haryana govt would decide when the elections would be conducted.Residents’ groups have questioned why statutory posts continue to remain vacant despite a fully constituted house.SK Nayar, president of the Citizens’ Welfare Association, said residents should not be made to suffer because of delays in filling important positions. He said the senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor provide additional channels for citizens to raise civic concerns, particularly when the mayor is unavailable.Nayar said if the posts are considered important for the functioning of the corporation, they should be filled without delay. “And if authorities do not want those two posts, they should instead abolish them,” he said.Why the delay mattersThe senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor are elected office-bearers who assist the mayor in civic functioning and act as additional points of contact for residents. Their absence means citizens have fewer elected representatives to approach for civic grievances when the mayor is unavailable.Residents’ groups say the vacancies can affect public accessibility to the corporation’s leadership and reduce representation in civic matters. Significantly, Panchkula remained without the two office-bearers throughout the previous MC term as well, making this the second consecutive house in which the posts are lying vacant.
