BJP councillors’ protest intensifies, demand public apology from Mayor

The ongoing protest by BJP councillors entered its third consecutive day on Sunday, as tensions escalated over stalled developmental work and the alleged misbehaviour by city officials against them. The agitation, held outside the Mayor’s office in Zone-D, has gained multi-party momentum, drawing support from Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) councillors.

The BJP’s district president Rajneesh Dhiman, who joined the dharna in solidarity, asserted, “BJP councillors and workers won’t be intimidated by police complaints. They represent the people’s voice and went to the Mayor’s office with genuine concerns. If an FIR must be filed, file one against me, too. Struggle is in BJP’s DNA.”

Former councillor and BJP leader Rashi Agarwal emphasised the protest was not an attempt to create chaos. “This is about changing the grim reality. Representatives from the SAD and Congress have also joined us. When residents face problems—even in the dead of the night—they turn to their councillors. But if councillors aren’t heard, governance falters.”

The stir gained further traction when Punjab BJP’s working president Ashwani Sharma visited the site yesterday and announced that the protest would continue until the Mayor publicly apologised for her conduct.

Punjab BJP general secretary Anil Sareen joined the protest on Sunday and condemned the Mayor’s actions, likening them to intoxication with power. “She’s not just the city’s Mayor but also a fellow councillor—supposed to lead with accountability, not arrogance. Instead of addressing public grievances—overflowing sewage, uncollected garbage, water-logged streets—she chooses to misbehave.”

He further accused the administration of misusing police intervention, calling it a tactic to suppress legitimate protest. “If this continues, we’re ready to walk into the police station and get arrested. Let the public see who stands for them,” he added.

In her defence, the Mayor stated that the councillors disrupted a disciplined meeting, similar to an earlier unscheduled visit at her camp office. “Despite the commotion, I carried on with my duties. The system must maintain order. If there is one reason for me to apologise then I will do so, but the BJP councillors had decided on their actions before even coming to meet me in my office. It was a well-planned move,” she said.