Jaipur: The Deputy CM of Rajasthan and Congress leader Sachin Pilot had questioned the decision of elections to the posts of heads of urban local bodies.
Sachin Pilot had took a stand that appeared to go against the view of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and its government in Rajasthan and made it clear he was not consulted on the decision that was notified on Wednesday.
Two other ministers in the Congress-run state have separately opposed the move that allows people who are not elected councillors to contest for posts like mayors and chairpersons of corporations and municipalities.
The non-councillor candidates still have to be elected by councillors to the top posts.
In Jhunjhunu Pilot told media, “This is not a good decision and I do not agree with this. The decision is not practical and not politically right and there is a need to make changes to the decision.”
He said, “We decided to hold indirect election for the posts of mayor and chairperson. This was fine. But suddenly a new decision appeared that I came to know from newspapers. This was not discussed in the cabinet or the legislative party meeting.”
Notable Pilot is the Rajasthan Congress president and had claimed that the new system, which is being called a hybrid, will allow people to become urban body heads through the back door. He said democracy is not strengthened if a candidate who could not win a councillors’ election is allowed to contest for the mayor’s post.
He said, “Our party and the government have always said that democracy should be strengthened.”
He added, “I do not think such a system has been implemented in any state of the country.”
A gazette notification to amend the rules on election of mayors and chairpersons was issued on Wednesday.
A day later, Food and Civil Supply Minister Ramesh Meena and Transport Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas separately expressed apprehension, saying it could lead to resentment among party workers.
Khachariyawas said the system was injustice to those who worked in the field and won councillors elections.
When asked about the comments by these two ministers, Gehlot said everyone is concerned about delivering good governance.
Bureau Report
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