Congress led Himachal Pradesh government is all set to bring back the old system of indirect election for Mayor and Deputy Mayor posts in urban local bodies (MC) of state. For this Govt is bringing a bill in the coming budget session.

Earlier, previous Govt had started direct election for the mayor, deputy mayor for Shimla Municipal Corporation and had notified in November 2010. After that CPM candidate Sanjay Chauhan and Tikender Panwar won the both post with considerable margin, even though CPM could only secure three councilors in 24 members MC house. However BJP won 12 and Congress candidates secured 10 seats.

Though CPM won the both coveted post, but being in minority in the house, Congress and BJP councillors have been turning down their proposals by virtue of in majority and it posing problems in running day-to-day affairs.

This decision even didn’t go well with the elected representatives as well and they objected it and complaint for undermining their democratic right. After change of the government, elected representatives of many local bodies in the state have submitted representations requesting to revert to the old pattern of indirect election.

Confirming the development, Minister for urban development, town and country planning Sudhir Sharma said that government would amend the act and would bring the bill in the budget session. He also said that new municipal corporations Solan, Mandi, Palampur and Dharamshala, would also be formed.