AAP MLAs, leaders huddle together over growing discord in Ludhiana civic body

A day after the Finance and Contract Committee (F&CC) meeting of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation was adjourned, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs convened a closed-door meeting today to address the growing unrest within the civic body.

The meeting, held at a local party office, was attended by multiple Ludhiana-based MLAs and senior party functionaries. Sources said the agenda focussed on alleged irregularities in the tendering process, administrative lapses and the widening rift between elected representatives and municipal officials.

“We cannot allow Rs 10 crore worth of tenders to be passed without scrutiny,” said Senior Deputy Mayor Rakesh Prashar. The latter had earlier accused officials of using the login credentials of a retired engineer to float tenders. His concerns were echoed by Deputy Mayor Prince Johar, who cited lack of transparency and accountability in the Mayor’s handling of the F&CC agenda.

The MLAs reportedly discussed the possibility of forwarding the matter to the party high command, demanding a probe into the tender process and calling for greater oversight of municipal operations.

The meeting also touched upon the broader implications of the civic body impasse, with several development proposals now stalled due to the lack of quorum in yesterday’s meeting. Party insiders said the MLAs are keen to resolve the issue internally before it affects public perception, especially in the wake of AAP’s recent victory in the Ludhiana (West) bypoll. A follow-up session with the Mayor and Municipal Commissioner is likely to be scheduled early next week.