Notification issued for election to SMC Mayor post

SRINAGAR — Authorities on Tuesday issued a notification for elections to the post of Mayor Srinagar.

Parvaiz Ahmad Qadri, who is Acting Mayor SMC, on Tuesday issued a notification asking SMC Commissioner to initiate process for the elections.

“Notification for fresh elections to the post of Mayor as per the provision and relevant Section of the J&K Municipal Corporation Act, 2000. Therefore Commissioner, SMC may kindly initiate necessary process for fresh elections to the post of Mayor as per the provisions and relevant Section of the J&K Municipal Corporation Act, 2000,” the notification reads.

As per rules, a new Mayor has to be elected within 30 days of the ouster/resignation of the previous one. On June 15, Junaid Matoo, the former Mayor of SMC couldn’t prove his majority and had to step down from the post.

Congress corporators followed the party whip and abstained from voting but two NC Corporators in violation of the party whip voted against Junaid, who, however, announced that he accepts the verdict.

However, since June 15, hectic lobbyism is going on among corporators of all the political parties.

What created ripples in the political circles recently was the call recording of the female Corporator from Dalgate, who claimed that one of the political parties was backing Imran and would ensure he gets the Mayor’s post. She was, however, reprimanded by the party high command for her comments. Later, Imran too denied any links with any political party.

Sheikh Imran had also clarified that he was not behind the ouster of Junaid Matoo from the post of Mayor.