The Hindu 14.11.2014
Mayor’s remark sparks protests
Being a presiding officer, Mayor is supposed to be apolitical: YSRC
YSRC corporators squatting near Mayor’s podium protesting against the
amendment of a resolution at the VMC council meeting in Vijayawada on
Thursday. (Right) Mayor Koneru Sridhar trying to pacify the protesters.-
Photo: V. Raju
Mayor Koneru Sridhar over stepped his Chair with his
comments at VMC Council meeting here on Thursday inviting protest by the
opposition YSR Congress.
His comment, “days are not
enough to discuss about Mr. Jagan,” sparked protests, challenges and
counter challenges. YSR Congress, even while demanding the Mayor to
withdraw his remarks, suggested that a special meeting be convened to
discuss about Mr. Jagan and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Utter
chaos prevailed in the Council as every member tried to put forward his
argument at top of his/her voice.
The Corporation
authorities switched on all mikes upping the ante. The precincts of
Council hall echoed with the din and the Council did not discuss a
single issue listed on agenda until post lunch session.
Trouble
broke out when YSR Congress took objection to TDP corporators praising
Mr. Naidu while condoling the death of former corporator Uppalapathi
Narasaraju. Both opposition and ruling members crossed swords on the
issue. Both of them accused each other on discipline, corruption and
leadership values.
The trouble continued until the
Mayor wounded up the condolence resolution by recalling his association
with Narasaraju, who served as VGTMUDA Board member also. Later, the
Council observed a two-minute silence to pay homage to the former
corporator.
Trouble broke out again when opposition
members tried to rake up the issue. Mr. Sridhar asserted that there
would not be any discussion once the Mayor concluded the issue with his
remarks.
In the podium
The
YSRC members rushed to podium demanding explanation on how the ruling
party could amend a resolution that was already adopted by the Council.
They waved news reports published in the newspapers.
In a bid to bring the house to order, he announced a 15-minute break, but the protest continued even after the break.
The
Mayor suggested YSR Congress floor leader Punya Seela that the issue
could be discussed if they went back to their seats. His efforts went in
vain forcing him to announce lunch break.
Later,
YSRC corporators said, “the Mayor is supposed to be apolitical as a
presiding officer. But, he made a political statement from his chair.
His comments against Mr. Jagan were unwarranted.”
The Council was unable to discuss a single issue listed on the agenda until post lunch session
