VADODARA: Extensive politicking is being witnessed for the polls to the post of the mayor, deputy mayor and standing committee members of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC). The post of mayor for the next term is reserved for a woman councillor.The ruling BJP is expecting a smooth selection of the new mayor as it enjoys a thumping majority. Despite schisms in the elected wing of the civic body, there are thin chances of anyone going against the party’s mandate for the polls.The recent choices for key posts in other civic bodies has kept rumour mills working overtime even at the VMC. It is widely perceived that if the polls so far were an indication, fresh faces or those who have not held key positions in the recent past may be picked.While standing committee chairperson Dr Jigisha Sheth was seen as a clear frontrunner for the post, names of other woman councillors have also started doing the rounds. These include those who have held key posts in the past and those who have been elected councillor on multiple occasions.The BJP may have limited choices for the post of the mayor, but it has several eyeing the posts of deputy mayor and standing committee chairperson. The BJP follows a tradition of appointing a woman deputy mayor if the mayor is a male councillor. An exception was made in the last 2.5-year term and Yogesh Patel was made deputy mayor as Sheth was made standing committee chairperson.For the next term, the BJP may pick male councillors for the posts of deputy mayor and standing committee chairman. The party is likely to pick a mix of 12 sitting and new members for the standing committee. The chairman will be elected from among these members. The polls are scheduled to be held on Monday at the VMC’s headquarters at Khanderao Market

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