Srinagar mayor Junaid Mattu braces for another floor test

M Aamir Khan

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 12

Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) mayor Junaid Azim Mattu is all set to face another floor test amid a bitter war of words with the members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Around 40 corporators have submitted a no-confidence motion against Mattu and he blamed the BJP for the move.

Mattu had won a floor test on December 26 last year with support of 50 councillors of the total 70-member SMC.

“Been informed that BJP has sought a ‘Vote of No Confidence’ in the SMC against me. Those who have submitted the motion are either elected members/office bearers of BJP or unambiguously associated with BJP. This is the second such motion by BJP against me within 6 months,” Mattu said in a tweet.

The mayor also claimed that the BJP was hand in glove with the Congress. “That this is being done in the MIDST of an unprecedented pandemic is another travesty. That it is being claimed and alleged that INC and BJP are on the same page is bizarre beyond comprehension and hints at some clear illegality and foul play.”

BJP reacted with spokesperson Altaf Thakur saying that the no-confidence motion has been moved by the independent corporators and not by his party.

BJP’s media in-charge Manzoor Bhat echoed similar views but maintained that Mattu should be removed as the mayor. “Earlier, we had filed no-confidence motion against the mayor but this time independent corporators led by former deputy mayor Shiekh Imran have filed the motion against him. However, the BJP has been always of the opinion that Mattu should be removed. Under him all developmental works have come to a halt,” Bhat told The Tribune.

He expressed confidence that the floor test would be held on Saturday, even as the SMC officials said they were examining the developments and would take a decision as per the laws.

The war of words turned uglier on Friday as Mattu claimed that the BJP and former deputy mayor had “imprisoned” 16 corporators. “Around 16 Corporators huddled inside in a pandemic without masks – without physical distancing at Hotel Grand Mahal in Shalimar. Some of them making desperate calls to be rescued. Imprisoned by PSOs of Mr. Sheikh Imran, BJP District President Ashoke Bhat and an SOG Truck outside!” Mattu tweeted.