Gujarat councillors spend session to argue over political matters

After the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's (AMC) budget session on Sunday, it would seem that councillors are more interested in raking up political issues during important meetings instead of discussing the issues that affect citizens.

It was evident on Sunday, when councillors from BJP and the Congress ended up wasting the budget session by entering into a verbal spat over political issues, resulting in a ruckus and wastage of public money. Sources said that such meetings cost the AMC around Rs 4 to Rs 5 lakh, including councillor allowances, transportation, food and other expenses.

On Sunday evening, the second-day for discussing AMC's main budget of Rs 8,051 crore, the session was conducted amid ruckus. It all started after one of the Congress member's mike was turned off abruptly. After he was denied time to speak, his party members started throwing files and documents. BJP members too shouted against the Congress party members and amid the din, the mayor made the announcement about the approval of the budget worth Rs 8,051 crore.

Mention of Pakistan

When Amul Bhatt, standing committee chairman was reading out the proposed budget for the next fiscal year, he was praising former Gujarat chief minister and the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congress councillor Haji Mirza then commented on PM Modi having met Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Reacting on the same, former mayor Amit Shah, targeted Congress for them boarding Samjhauta Express. Both party members then shouted Pakistan Murdabad slogans.

The reputation of the parties

Recalling an incident that occurred after the earthquake in 2001, Shah said that all are aware of the reputation of the Congress party when they asked for Rs 15 crore donation for the rehabilitation work, but none came forward. In response to this, Badruddin Shaikh, former leader of the opposition and Congress councillor said that the BJP were unsuccessful in gathering even 2 per cent of the Corporate Social Responsibility fund so far.

KHAM and KAM

BJP leader Bipin Sikka said that the Congress believed in KHAM theory (Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi and Muslim). The theory was propounded by former Congress chief minister Madhavsinh Solanki, while the BJP believes in 'kaam' (work). Responding to him, Dinesh Sharma, leader of opposition said that if the government worked well, then why did lose out in the recently held assembly elections?

Commissioner's walk out

Sharma raised some doubts over the purchase of electric buses made during the tenure of the former municipal commissioner and the terms and conditions of the deal. He praised current municipal commissioner Vijay Nehra, to which Nehra replied, "By praising me, you cannot raise doubts against my predecessor. This is not the right thing. You please stick to the budget matter." To which Sharma shot back saying, "I know my subject and I know well what I should say." The commissioner walked out of the House after this argument.

Councillor calls Priyanka Gandhi 'Gora Chehra'

Sikka during the session said, "By roping in 'Gora Chehra' (referring to Priyanka Gandhi), Congress cannot win the election. Remember that Modi is going to win the upcoming election. In a roadshow, 'Gora Chehra' can pull crowds but can't woo voters."

Amid the cacophony of which party had done better during their respective terms, none of the civic matters were discussed. Congress members staged a protest for not being given six-and-a-half hours for discussion and and also announced a protest against the mayor on Monday.