Mayor-In-Council system a dampener

VADODARA, June 30: The usual political fervour and the behind-the-scene lobbying were conspicuous by their absence during the appointment of the six new members to the Standing Committee of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation on Tuesday, apparently because of the uncertainty over the introduction of the Mayor-in-Council system in the State.

The formation of this council will basically sideline the Standing Committee — so long the all-important decision-making body of the corporation — as all major powers will be vested with it. With the council supposed to come into being any day, nominations to the standing committee understandably aroused little enthusiasm.

The appointments, in fact, disappointed the three woman councillors — Bharti Vyas, Jigeesha Sheth and Virbala Soni — as this effectively nixes their chances for the mayor’s post, for which they were top contenders. Sources said though all six could be considered for the MIC, which could be chaired by incumbent Ratilal Desai, none may ascend to the top chair.

Bharat Shah and Sadanand Desai have been re-nominated to the committee, while Ramdev Vasava and the three women are new entrants. They replace Magan Desai, Arvind Patel, Yogesh Patel, Alka Bakshi, Rekha Pancholi and Shobhana Rana, who retire on Wednesday.