Six short of majority, race for mayor's post heats up in Cong

CONGRESS EYES SUPPORT FROM EIGHT INDEPENDENT COUNCILLORS TO CROSS THE MAJORITY MARK

- Surjit Singh

AMRITSAR: With the Congress emerging as the largest party by winning 40 out of 85 wards in the municipal corporation elections, and its tally nearing a majority, the race for mayorship appears to be intensifying in Amritsar.

As per experts, the Congress is still six short of majority in the House, which comprises 90 members, including 85 councilors and five elected MLAs from urban segments-Amritsar Central, Amritsar North, Amritsar South, Amritsar East and Amritsar West. The ruling AAP could secure only 24 seats. Additionally, 9 candidates from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), four from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and 8 independent candidates won the poll.