Cong stages protest at MC office over 'poor condition' of city

Members and office-bearers of the Congress staged a protest outside the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation office today, raising voice against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and municipal administration for the deteriorating conditions in the city.

Congress leaders and workers from Jalandhar Central, Jalandhar North, Jalandhar Cantt, and Jalandhar West constituencies joined the demonstration. Slogans were raised, accusing the government and municipal officials of gross negligence and failure to address basic civic issues.

Leading the protest were Rajinder Beri, president of the District Congress Committee (Urban); Bawa Henry, MLA from Jalandhar North; and Surinder Kaur, in-charge of Jalandhar West. They criticised the administration for its inability to provide even the basic services to the residents of Jalandhar.

“Almost every ward in the city is facing problems like choked sewer lines, contaminated drinking water, garbage heaps at every corner, and a growing menace of stray dogs,” said Beri.

Despite the ongoing monsoon, the Municipal Corporation has made no preparations. Streets remain filthy, he said.

The Congress leaders alleged that the claims of cleanliness and development made by the Mayor and Commissioner are misleading.

“After the recent rain, many areas were flooded, and citizens are forced to drink dirty water. Yet, the public's cries are falling on deaf ears,” they said.

The protest concluded with a call for accountability, urging the government to wake up to the city’s deteriorating condition and fulfil its responsibility toward the citizens.

Mayor Vaneet Dhir responded to the Congress' protest, addressing the media afterward. He said if the Congress had focused on the city's development during its tenure, the current issues wouldn't be as severe. "In my six months in office, I’ve already launched several projects. They couldn’t even appoint their own Leader of the Opposition," he stated.