The Hindu : New Delhi News : Satbir Singh set to become Delhi Mayor

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Friday, Apr 08, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Satbir Singh set to become Delhi Mayor

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, APRIL 7. The rivals of the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, once again had their way in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi today with the Congress leadership fielding the outgoing Leader of the House, Satbir Singh, for the post of Delhi Mayor.

Giving representation to women, the party fielded Razia Sultana for the post of Deputy Mayor, pushing another Councillor, Shallu Malik, out of the race.

Both Mr. Singh and Ms. Sultana filed their nomination papers on the last day today.

Insiders said the party leadership cleared the name of Mr. Singh, a close confidant of the DPCC chief, Ram Babu Sharma, and the Member of Parliament from Outer Delhi, Sajjan Kumar, this morning. Detailed consultations were held with the AICC general secretary in-charge of Delhi affairs, Ashok Gehlot, who finally gave the nod for Mr. Singh's name for the post.

It is learnt that the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, was backing the candidature of the former Mayor, Jaishree Panwar, but did not find favour with the party leadership. Mr. Singh, who will in all possibility get elected due to the brute majority enjoyed by the Congress, will succeed the outgoing Mayor, A. R. Verma.

In addition, the party cleared the names of Jai Kishen Sharma, Farhat Suri and Jeetendra Kumar `Jeetu' as members of the all-powerful Standing Committee of the Corporation. Mr. Jeetu has been given a re-nomination.

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