Political paralysis hits urban local bodies
Two months after Haryana held its municipal elections, the third tier of the BJP-led governance — the urban local bodies (ULBs) — is yet to fully kick into gear. Several top positions remain vacant across municipal corporations and councils, stalling critical governance functions.
Posts such as senior deputy Mayor and deputy mayor in municipal corporations, along with vice-chairperson and president roles in councils and committees, are yet to be filled. These positions are chosen through internal elections by elected councillors, unlike the direct election of mayors.
The delay is significantly affecting the day-to-day functioning of urban governance. Without these appointments, key bodies like the Finance Committee — which clears all projects above Rs 50 lakh before tenders are floated or budgets sanctioned — remain non-functional.
“In municipal corporations, the finance committee usually comprises the mayor, senior deputy mayor, deputy mayor and a few councillors. This committee and many other House committees are still non-functional in all 10 corporations due to pending appointments. As a result, municipal bodies are forced to route development proposals through the full House or the state headquarters, often causing undue delays,” said a councillor.
Most House committees that monitor civic services and infrastructure issues are also yet to be constituted. Councillors and aspirants for these posts admit the delay is hampering governance, though they recall a similar lag during the last election cycle as well.
Sources say the ruling BJP prioritised its internal organisational elections in the wake of the March civic polls, which may have contributed to the current standstill. Ironically, the delay has left many BJP councilors — who had actively lobbied for these coveted posts — disheartened and in a “wait-and-watch" mode.
The municipal elections were held in March this year across 10 Municipal Corporations — Faridabad, Gurugram, Manesar, Hisar, Karnal, Rohtak, Yamunanagar, Ambala, Sonepat and Panipat — alongside four Municipal Councils and 21 Municipal Committees.
The BJP scored a major win, clinching nine of the 10 mayoral seats. Manesar was the sole exception, where independent candidate Dr Inderjeet Yadav emerged victorious. The Congress, contesting on its symbol for the first time, failed to secure any mayoral post.
Urban Local Bodies Minister Vipul Goel has assured that elections for the remaining key posts will be held shortly.
“The BJP is committed to drive all three engines of governance — national, state and local — together to ensure holistic development. The elections for these positions will be announced shortly, in about a week’s time. Since BJP candidates have secured a majority in almost all urban local bodies, the election of BJP councillors to these posts is natural,” Goel said.
Haryana Tribune