Fazilka BJP leaders have alleged delay in convening the first meeting of the newly elected councillors for administering the oath and electing the president and vice-president of the municipal council.

Senior BJP leader Surjit Kumar Jyani said the party’s newly elected councillors had decided to approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday, seeking directions for the immediate administration of the oath and the conduct of elections for the post of president and vice-president.

The results of the Fazilka Municipal Council were declared on May 29. The government subsequently issued a notification on June 5, directing that the first meeting of the council should be organised within 14 days for administering the oath to the newly elected council members and electing the president and vice-president.

The BJP said the party had submitted a representation to the District Election Officer, requesting that the meeting be convened within seven days. In the 25-member municipal council, the BJP won 11 seats, the Congress secured nine and AAP five. Subsequently, AAP councillor joined the BJP, taking its strength to 12.

“We have the required majority to elect our president and some members of other parties have also assured us of their support for the development of the town,” claimed senior BJP leader Ashok Jairath. He alleged that the AAP government was deliberately delaying the meeting to prevent the BJP to elect its president.

Jyani alleged that wherever the BJP had secured a majority, the government was trying to create hindrance in an attempt to undermine the people’s mandate and stall the democratic functioning of local bodies.

He also expressed apprehension that false cases could be filed against the BJP councillors to prevent them from participating in the meeting, alleging that a similar attempt had already been made against newly elected councillor Suresh Kumar.

Repeated attempts to contact the Commissioner, Ferozepur Division, Deputy Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioner and the SDM proved unsuccessful.

Fazilka MLA Narinderpal Singh Sawna said the administration had better knowledge in this regard.