Ruckus in civic body meet over minutes of Mayoral elections

An election petition was filed by rebel candidate Jagjit Singh Kang with the UT Deputy Commissioner,asking for the election of Mayor Ravinder Pal Singh Pali to be set aside.

Councillor Harjinder Kaur came to the House with a written document on the proceedings that had not been recorded. She pointed out that there were discrepancies in the recording.

As Harjinder read out the missing parts,which she said had been tallied with CDs of the proceedings,Congress councillors started objecting. In fact,even before she read out the minutes,councillor Anu Chatrath demanded that no remarks be made against any member who was not present in the House. The reference was of Union Minister Pawan Bansal,who was present during the Mayoral elections.

Harjinder pointed out that the comments of Brig K S Chandpuri (Retd),who was the presiding officer for the meeting,were not recorded. She also alleged that the comments made by Union Minister Pawan Bansal were not the same in the minutes circulated and the CD.

As Harjnder read out the minutes,there were heated exchanges among the councillors. The Opposition councillors entered the Well of the House in protest.

The ruckus continued with the nominated councillors walking out of the House ¿ R C Jakhu was the only one not to join the throng.

The House had to be adjourned and after it resumed,nominated councillor Dr Neelam Malik stated that they had simply gone for tea and it was not a walkout.

Not all nominated councillors,however,shared her views. Dr A P Sanwaria said they had decided to walk out of the House after seeing the proceedings. The lone BSP councillor Ram Sumer Morya boycotted the meeting,protesting against the arguments among the councillors.