Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
A heated confrontation broke out in the general body (GB) meeting on Friday over a resolution congratulating the state government for renaming Aurangabad as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The issue triggered a face-off between BJP and AIMIM corporators, culminating in a walkout by the latter.
The GB, which held today from 11 am to 5 pm, witnessed commotion, boycott, slogans and approval of not a single public interest proposal. When things were found going out of control, the mayor Sameer Rajurkar adjourned the meeting.
Earlier, as soon as the resolution was taken up for discussion, AIMIM corporators staged a protest and boycotted the proceedings in the afternoon. They exited the House. With no opposition remaining in the chamber, the Mayor approved the resolution.
Deputy Mayor Rajendra Janjal had moved the proposal to congratulate then Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for the renaming decision. However, Opposition Leader Abdul Sameer objected to the proposal and led the boycott. Tensions escalated further when VBA corporator Afsar Khan referred to the city as ‘Aurangabad’ during the discussion.
Another proposal to name the upcoming zoological park at Mitmita as “Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje Bhosale Park” was also approved by the Mayor.
Opposition to statue proposal
The administration also tabled a proposal to install a statue of Mahatma Basveshwar, which was opposed by AIMIM corporators. They suggested that hospitals be established in the names of great leaders instead of erecting statues. Despite objections, the proposal was passed after BJP corporators took an aggressive stance.
Debate on pothole-filling machinery
A proposal seeking approval for a Rs 2.5 crore pothole-filling machine led to a lengthy discussion. Commissioner G Sreekanth defended the purchase, stating that the city’s image had suffered due to potholes and that the machine was helping address the issue. Corporators suggested procuring an additional machine and preparing a schedule to allocate it across prabhags. Mayor instructed to allocate the machine for one day to each prabhag.
Allegations of corruption in water scheme
AIMIM corporators also raised allegations of corruption in the new water supply scheme. Despite repeated warnings from the Mayor about sub judice constraints, the issue persisted until the municipal commissioner clarified the matter. He advised corporators to submit any evidence of corruption to the divisional commissioner.
Box
Row over sitting between AIMIM and VBA
As the general body meeting commenced in the morning, leader of opposition Abdul Sameer insisted that the AIMIM group leader be allotted a seat in the front row. Three corporators from the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) were already seated in the first row of the opposition benches. A space was made available next to them for Abdul Sameer himself, but no seat was available for AIMIM group leader Haji Sher Khan.
On this issue, Sameer staged a sit-in protest in front of the Mayor’s dais, creating a tense spectacle that continued for some time. Mayor Rajurkar eventually intervened, assuring the members that seating arrangements would be decided later, effectively bringing the dispute to a close.