Shimla, Feb 6 (IANS): A Congress leader in Himachal Pradesh has demanded to give residents of newly formed municipal corporations their democratic right of electing their own mayor and deputy mayor.

In a missive to Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, national Joint Secretary Gokul Butal thanked the Chief Minister for announcing the Municipal Corporations of Palampur, Solan and Mandi towns recently.

"The elections to these newly formed corporations along with Dharamsala are due next month. I would like to request your government to bring in an amendment that enables direct elections for the posts of mayor and deputy mayor of these corporations," he said.

He said various NGOs and civil societies have already approached the Chief Minister in this regard. "Even the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee has voiced its demand for direct elections."

"A mayor of a municipal corporation along with his or her councillors would be responsible for overseeing financial decisions. Therefore, each resident should have a right to elect his or her city head, which is also fundamental right for a democratic setup," said the letter.

Gokul, who belonged to Palampur in Kangra district, said the direct election would stop horse-trading among the councillors for the posts of mayor and deputy mayor.

"It will also permit the elected heads to work for the welfare without any undue pressure for their tenure," he added.

The government in October last year announced upgrade of the Municipal Councils of Mandi, Solan and Palampur towns to Municipal Corporations by inclusion of adjoining areas.