SURAT, June 24: The elected wing of the Surat Municipal Corporation is bracing up for a showdown with Municipal Commissioner S Jagadeesan following his alleged refusal to withdraw the ``controversial circular'' asking officials to seek his permission before meeting the mayor, the standing committee chairman and other committee chairmen.Standing Committee Chairman Natu Soma Patel and former mayor and leader of house Fakirbhai Chauhan had castigated Jagadeesan for issuing the circular which, they said, ``Insulted and denigrated the elected wing.''Apparently under pressure from the party, Mayor Navneet Jariwala, who is said to enjoy good relationship with Jagadeesan, asked him to withdraw the circular. The commissioner, however, reportedly ignored his letter.When contacted, Jagadeesan had said he would give an official reply to the mayor's letter, but has not done so far.Sources, however, point out that the commissioner wants to play down the issue, saying the circular has nothing to do with the elected wing; it was meant to discipline his officers who were keeping him in dark about their meeting with the leaders of the elected wing.Patel and Chauhan, the most vocal critics of the commissioner, have joined hands to ``teach him a lesson.'' Patel, Chauhan, Jariwala and BJP secretary Kanubhai Joshi met on Tuesday to discuss a one-point agenda as to how the commissioner should be dealt with.They have decided to call a special meeting, in this week, to pass a resolution reprimanding the commissioner for his ``autocratic style of functioning.'' The commissioner will have to mend his ways, otherwise we are capable of spoiling his confidential report, they warn. He said the co-ordination committee, which met on Tuesday, had decided to complain to the State government about the commissioner's conduct.Chauhan had convened the committee, after an officer refused to meet the chairman of a particular committee. The chairman wanted the see the officer for an urgent work, but the officer refused, saying he was helpless. The chairman, in desperation, turned to the leader of the house. After Chauhan intervened, the officer met the chairmen, but was told to be ready to face the consequences, Chauhan claimed.Why hasn't he withdrawn the order, when he was asked by the mayor to do so, they question, saying that now he will have to face the consequences for refusing to follow orders.
