Congress bags panchayat president post

Bhopal, Jan 16: Lakhan Meena of Congress won the election of district panchayat president, with the cross voting by BJP panchayat member. Union Minister Suresh Pachouri once again emerged stronger in the election. The election for district panchayat president was orgnaised after former president Chetan Patidar had to step down. There are 10 members in the panchayat and all of them participated in the process.

There were five votes of each BJP and Congress. But the finally, Meena received six votes and BJP candidate Ramesh Verma got only three. One vote was rejected, and one BJP member crossed the floor. Returning officer Kavindra Kiyawat announced the results in the afternoon. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Commercial Tax Minister Babulal Gaur had issued stern directives for the members to vote for party candidate. Sources also claim that one vote that was rejected, was also a part of the strategy adopted by the Congress.

Sources claimed that the ruling BJP had not decided its candidate till later night, while on the other hand, Union Minister Suresh Pachouri had already decided candidate and party leaders had gathered at Pachouri’s official residence right early morning. It was believed that there would be tough fight between both the candidates, but with BJP member’s crossing the floor, Congress bagged the post easily. Political observers believe that this is a jolt to the BJP, after facing defeat in by-elections and recently held civic body elections. The panchayat president’s election has exposed in-fighting within the BJP, and it would be difficult for the party to overcome soon.