Tensions flare as councillors continue protest against Mayor

Tensions flared at the Municipal Corporation’s Zone-D office as 18 councillors from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a protest against Mayor Inderjit Kaur, accusing her of biased behaviour and administrative apathy. The protest gained momentum as councillors from the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) joined the BJP, declaring collective discontent over stalled development works in their respective wards.

BJP working president Ashwani Sharma also joined the protest late this evening. His arrival would likely signal a further escalation and formal backing of the councillors’ demands, adding weight to the political pressure already mounting from the BJP, Congress and SAD representatives.

Sharma said they won’t tolerate the high-headedness of the Mayor and won’t lift the dharna.

The councillors alleged that basic civic amenities had deteriorated, with garbage piling up and rising mosquito infestation due to neglected sanitation.

“Officials ask which party we’re from before addressing any issue. It is open discrimination,” claimed the councillors, adding that repeated attempts to meet the Mayor resulted in heated exchanges rather than resolution.

BJP councillor Gaurav Jeet Gora said: “We approached the Mayor over pending works in our wards but the way she behaved was unacceptable.”

The protest took a dramatic turn when, following an alleged verbal spat in the Mayor’s office, security personnel requested the councillors to leave.

Enraged by what they called “mistreatment,” the councillors declared an indefinite sit-in till the Mayor issued an apology.

District Congress president Sanjay Talwar expressed support to the BJP councillors, stating: “The Mayor cannot bully elected representatives. The people voted for us and mistreating councillors goes against democratic principles. That’s why our members have joined the protest.”

Meanwhile, BJP district president Rajnish Dhiman alleged that the Mayor was acting under political influence. “Her behaviour is emboldened by support from ruling MLAs. If she doesn’t apologise, we will continue the protest in full force,” he said.

Responding to the allegations, Mayor Inderjit Kaur said the councillors had entered her office claiming to discuss development concerns but the situation escalated due to raised voices. “Security intervened only to calm the situation. No councillor was forced out,” she clarified.

“Some councillors came prepared to create disturbance, not to solve issues. Development work hasn’t been halted in any ward. Give me a reason to be apologetic, should I be apologetic for listening to their grievances, should I be apologetic for being polite with them or should I be apologetic for getting their works done. Give me one solid reason and I will apologise,” she said.