GHMC to ‘elect’ its standing committee members on Feb 25

Hyderabad:For the first time, members of the GHMC standing committee are likely to be elected instead of being chosen unanimously. Corporators from the Congress party are likely to be part of the 15-member committee, the apex body that takes important policy decisions.

With no party having adequate numbers to elect all 15 corporators as the standing committee members, and given the Congress-AIMIM rapport, only these two parties are likely to be part of the committee.

Unless the BJP and the BRS join hands in the council, they can't be a part of this committee. Presently, eight BRS and seven AIMIM corporators are in the standing committee. Incidentally, members of only these two parties have figured in the committee since the formation of Telangana and their alliance. But this trend is likely to end given the strength of the Congress and its rapport with the AIMIM.

With two sitting corporators having become MLAs and two having passed away, the 150-ward council boasts of 146 corporators currently. The breakup stands at Congress (24 corporators), BRS (42), BJP (39) and AIMIM (41). A standing committee member should enjoy the backing of at least 74 corporators.

Nominations for the standing committee can be filed from February 10 to 17 excluding February 16 (Sunday). The final list of nominations will be released on February 18, while the last date for withdrawal of nominations is by 3 pm on February 21. Polling will be held from 10 am to 3 pm at the GHMC head office on February 25. Counting of votes will commence immediately thereafter.