Meanwhile, lobbying to grab the top posts has intensified as the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) combine, which had made clean sweep in the MC polls, is yet to announce any name.

The candidates considered strong contenders for the post include SAD’s Gurprem Singh from Ward 4 and Sukhwant Singh, brother of Chamkaur Sahib MLA Charanjit Singh, from Ward 8. Besides, the names of Roshan Lal from Ward 9, who became the seniormost councillor after being elected for the fifth consecutive time and Jai Bhagwan Singla from Ward 15, who was vice-president of the previous MC house are also doing the rounds.

While Gurprem enjoys the patronage of Punjab Cooperation Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Charanjit was perusing the case of Sukhwant as Sukhwant’s wife Paramjit Kaur has also won from Ward 11 to become the first and only councillor couple in Kharar.