Senior leaders cutting across various political parties in the municipality were disappointed by the changed status of their seats, as per the new list. According to it, many leaders — including Vijendra Kumar Gupta, BJP chief; Subhash Arya, leader of the House; Jai Kishan Sharma, leader of the Opposition; Rajni Abbi, Mayor; Anil Kumar Sharma, Deputy Mayor; and Mool Chand Sharma, Law and General Purpose Committee chairman — will have to find other areas to contest the upcoming polls.

The councillors who have remained untouched by the new arrangement of seats include Jagdish Mamgain, Chairman, Works Committee; former Mayors Arti Mehra, Dr Kanwar Sain, and Farhad Suri; and Mahendra Nagpal, chairman of the Education Committee.

Alternatives

In view of the circumstances, many councillors have started pulling every string at their disposal to get alternatives that suit their preferences. In view of the fact that the Election Commission has announced 50 per cent seats for women, others are trying to place the female members of their families wherever possible.

A senior member said that as his seat has been allotted for women, he now hopes to land a ticket for the adjoining ward — which is for general category. “I have contested from that seat earlier. I will have to work extra hard to impress the voters, but there is no option but to go for it,” the councillor said.

Others, who don’t have any hopes of landing an alternative seat, have decided to field the women from their families.