Ahead of the Bathinda mayoral election, likely to be held on June 12, former mayor Padamjeet Singh Mehta, who is among the frontrunners for the post, on Jattvibeday took a group of AAP councillors and those who contested unsuccessfully on a two-day pilgrimage to Salasar Dham in Rajasthan.Earlier, there had been speculation in political circles that the post might be reserved for women or a particular category, but the decision to keep it open has strengthened his prospects.Speaking to mediapersons before leaving for Salasar Dham, Padamjeet’s father Amarjit Singh Mehta, who is president of the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), gave strong indications of Padamjeet becoming the mayor for a second term.“Whenever we begin a new assignment, we first seek the blessings of God. We have already paid obeisance at Qila Sahib Gurdwara here. After returning, my son will take charge and continue serving the people,” he said.Expressing confidence in his son’s leadership, Amarjit said the civic body would work with even greater speed than during Padamjeet’s previous tenure of almost one and a half years.“We will make every effort to further improve Bathinda’s infrastructure and development. We will visit every ward and meet residents to understand their concerns and work according to the party’s programme,” he added.Sources said Padamjeet was expected to hold a roadshow in the city on June 12, the day the mayoral election is likely to take place.“Our national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and party’s Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia are also likely to come on that day. A roadshow is also being planned for that day, but the official confirmation of their visit is yet to come,” said an AAP leader.Notably, Padamjeet was elected unopposed as a councillor in the recently held civic polls. AAP enjoys a comfortable majority in the Municipal Corporation, with 35 councillors, making his election as mayor almost certain.The Congress has five councillors, the SAD three, the BJP one and there are six Independents. Meanwhile, political circles are also abuzz with speculation over the post of senior deputy mayor.Harbans Kaur, mother-in-law of Vidhan Sabha Speaker and Kotkapura MLA Kultar Singh Sandhwan, whose name had earlier been doing the rounds for the mayor’s post, is now being considered a strong contender for the post.