Haryana MC polls: BJP likely to announce its candidates next week

CHANDIGARH: The ruling BJP is likely to announce its mayoral and corporator candidates for the five municipal corporations (MCs) going to polls in Haryana on December 16.

It is for the first time in the state that voters would directly elect their mayor unlike in the past when the elected members of the civic body elected the mayor.

Talking to mediapersons after a party meeting held here on Monday to shortlist the candidates, BJP state president Subhash Barala said around 70 aspirants had applied for the mayoral elections in the first meeting and the party would hold a couple of more meetings to finalise the names for MCs in Hisar, Rohtak, Yamunanagar, Panipat and Karnal.

Besides Barala, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, district party presidents, MLAs and other local leaders participated in the meeting.

Election results would be declared on December 19.

The polls assume significance as its outcome may impact the prospects of various political parties in the

Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, due next year.

AAP NOT TO CONTEST ON ITS SYMBOL

Meanwhile, Haryana Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Naveen Jaihind said they have decided not to contest the MC polls on party symbol. “However, we would support suitable candidates in the fray,’’ he added.