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AAP gets mayor’s post but Cong gains little

CHANDIGARH: Despite the SC verdict going in his favour, city's new mayor Kuldeep Kumar will find the going tough in view of the changed equation in the MC House, where the BJP has now got an edge in the number game against the AAP-Cong alliance. With three AAP councillors switching sides on Sunday, BJP's strength in the MC house has gone up to 17. While the lone councillor of Shiromani Akali Dal too has aligned with the BJP, the vote of MP Kirron Kher, who is ex-officio member of the house, gives more firepower against the combined strength of the alliance partners (AA and Congress 7).

advantage for BJP too

With the BJP having the upper hand, it will be quite a challenge for Kuldeep to head the MC. The first major task for Kuldeep will be to form various committees to take up financial and policy agendas concerning the city. The election of the 5-member finance and contract committee (F&CC) will also be a major challenge for the INDIA bloc. Unlike in the past when the five members were chosen according to the strength of the ruling councillors, it will be interesting to see how F&CC is formed as there is not much gap between the BJP and INDIA bloc numbers. Having financial powers to approve works up to Rs 50 lakh, the F&CC is the second major entity after the general house, which takes policy and financial decisions. Besides, the nine nominated councillors, out of which many are directly associated with the BJP, will add strength to the BJP. Though the nominated councillors don't have the voting right, their sheer presence will be an added advantage for the BJP.