Son of former Akali minister Surjit Singh Kohli, who lost Patiala assembly seat to former chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh, was sworn in as the Patiala Municipal Corporation Mayor.
Ajit Pal Singh Kohli took oath in Ambedkar Hall in the presence of Patiala Divisional Commissioner SK Ahluwalia. BJP councillor from ward number 38 Anil Bajaj was elected as the Senior Deputy Mayor, while BJP councillor Sonia Devi Deputy Mayor.
Hectic lobbying was on for the last two days for the post of the Mayor, as there was a close contest between Kohli and another Akali councillor Jaspal Singh, who was backed by SAD heavyweight Surjit Singh Rakhra.
Another Akali candidate, Sohan Lal Jalota, supposed to be close to the Badal family, was ignored for the post, despite being considered as the frontrunner.
Thirty-year-old Ajit Pal Singh Kohli had contested the elections for the first time and his name was proposed by BJP councillor Sarita Gera.
Earlier in the afternoon, former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur acted as the special envoy of the party and opened the letter containing the name of the winner. Cabinet minister Manoranjan Kalia, who was also present during the ceremony, congratulated the new office-bearers.
Talking to The Indian Express, Kohli said, "I will walk the path shown by CM Parkash Singh Badal and see to it that every corner of the city gets due attention."
Patiala Deputy Mayor Anil Bajaj said a special drive to make Patiala green and clean would be launched and streetlights in the entire city would be made functional.
As soon as the names of Kohli, Anil Bajaj and Sonia Devi were announced, the councillors elected them unanimously. Those present on the occasion included parliamentary secretary Raj Kumar Khurana, Madan Lal Jalalpur, former SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar and district SAD president Indermohan Singh Bajaj.