Dy mayor joins mayor-councillor spat

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 2

A day aftermayor of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation Junaid Azim Mattu and councillor Shaheena Altaflevelled allegations against each other, the deputy mayor, Sheikh Imran, levelled charges of corruption against Mattu on Wednesday.

Sheikh Imran accused the mayor of “illegal transfers and corruption”.

The controversy started on Tuesday when a councillor from Srinagar, Shaheena Altaf, accused Mattu of harassment. He, however, refuted the allegations and said that the woman was acting at the behest of the deputy mayor, Sheikh Imran.

“Mattu dragged me into it. I have nothing to do with it. As the deputy mayor, it was my responsibility to hear the woman councillor who levelled sexual harassment allegations against him,” said the deputy mayor on Wednesday.

He said Mattu had “become insecure because I connect with people on the ground and I am working for them”.

“He is mentally unsound and needs a check-up. He is acting like the blue-eyed boy of the BJP in Kashmir and that’s why he is threatening everyone,” Imran alleged.

He said Mattu was also not allowing the councillors to submit the estimates of the developmental works in their areas.

“He is telling them to submit it to him only and is not allowing them to follow the procedure,” Imran alleged.

While the war of words between themayor and the deputy mayor continues, the controversy is affecting the functioning of the civic body in the summer capital.

“This fight is getting uglier and is affecting the smooth functioning of the department and creating a negative image,” said an insiderin the SMC.

Meanwhile, hundreds of SMC employees on Wednesday went on a strike and protested in Srinagar, demanding action against the woman councillor for beating up one of the employees and vandalising the office.

“We will continue to protest till action is taken against the councillor, Shaheena Altaf,” said a protesting employee.