15 of total 21 councillors express no confidence in Ropar MC chief

Fifteen councillors have written to the Executive Officer of the local Municipal Council (MC), expressing no confidence in Sanjay Verma, president of the local body.

In a letter to the Executive Officer, a copy which is with The Tribune, councillors demanded that a meeting of the House should be called and voting on the no-confidence motion against the council president should be moved.

The Ropar MC has 21 members. The House needs to pass a resolution with a two-thirds majority to remove the president.

Sources said Verma, who had affiliation with the Congress, was likely to be removed from the post after the House was convened by the Executive Officer.

When contacted, Verma said a political conspiracy was being hatched by the ruling party to remove him from the office. About the no confidence expressed in him by 15 municipal councillors, he said they were dejected as development was not happening in their wards.

The Ropar civic body had passed resolutions for development works worth Rs 18 crores in the past two years and sent them to the government. “However, we did not receive any money from the government for development works. Most roads and streets in the town are in bad condition. Lack of funds is also hitting the upkeep of the town,” he said.

Verma said the councillors were frustrated over the condition of their wards and they might be feeling that alignment with the ruling party might help get funds for development in their areas. It was unfortunate that the ruling party was ignoring the development of Ropar town, he said.

Ropar MLA Dinesh Chada of AAP was not available for comment over the issue. When contacted his office staff said he was away to US on a private tour.