Supreme Court allows Usha Sharma to continue as Solan Mayor
Insight Online News
Shimla, Aug 21 : Usha Sharma, Mayor of Solan Municipal Corporation, has received a temporary shot in the arm with the Supreme Court allowing her to continue in the post till the completion of the hearing on a petition challenging Himachal Pradesh government’s decision to disqualify her under the anti-defection law, a lawyer said on Wednesday.
The Apex Court, in its order, stayed the operation of the Himachal Pradesh government’s June 10, 2024 decision that disqualified Sharma and Deputy Mayor Poonam Grover, both rebel Congress leaders, as councillors under the anti-defection law, imposed curbs on fresh mayoral polls and posted the matter for next hearing on October 14.
Additionally, the Court stayed the Himachal Pradesh High Court’s judgment of June 25, 2024, which upheld their disqualification.
The Supreme Court’s directive ensures that Usha Sharma retains her mayoral position until the next hearing scheduled for October 14, 2024.
The order also puts on hold the fresh mayoral election that was slated for August 22, 2024.
The Court’s intervention came after Sharma and Grover, who were disqualified for contesting and winning the previous mayoral election against the Congress party’s official nominee, challenged their dismissal calling it a “political conspiracy”.
The Solan mayoral seat has been vacant for over two months due to the ongoing political strife within the Congress party.
Despite the disqualification, the party had not expelled Sharma and Grover from its primary membership, underscoring internal conflicts.
The Apex Court’s decision is seen as a major blow to the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led state government and local Congress leaders, who had sought to disqualify Sharma for anti-party activities.
In its observation, the Supreme Court instructed that the election process for the office of Mayor shall remain in abeyance until further orders, thereby reinstating Sharma to her post as Mayor.
