VBA–AIMIM row over minor issues disrupts general body meeting

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

A heated confrontation broke out between corporators of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) and AIMIM during the general body meeting held on Monday to discuss the municipal corporation’s annual budget. The dispute centred around seating arrangements in the general body hall and the prabhag-wise allocation of funds, leading to intense arguments. Corporators from both sides accused each other of being a “B team” of the BJP, while BJP members remained largely neutral and acted as spectators.

There are no fixed rules regarding seating arrangements for corporators in the GB hall. A few days earlier, AIMIM corporators had circulated a video suggesting that VBA corporators were sitting alongside BJP members. As soon as the meeting began at 11 am, Afsar Khan and Amit Bhuigal launched a series of allegations against AIMIM. They claimed that the VBA does not contest elections in states like Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam to assist the BJP, and instead accused AIMIM of playing the role of the BJP’s “B team.” They also questioned why AIMIM objected to increased fund allocation for them in the budget, stating that they were carrying forward the ideology of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and that AIMIM should refrain from commenting on development issues.

Leader of the Opposition Abdul Sameer also criticised VBA corporators, remarking that the entire city was aware of whom they aligned with. He said AIMIM respects Prakash Ambedkar but questioned whether VBA corporators truly follow his ideology. He further accused them of not raising issues concerning backward and marginalised communities, nor speaking on matters like education and healthcare. Responding to calls for action against AIMIM, he said that if they had done anything wrong, the government and administration would take appropriate action, and asserted that they would not bow to anyone’s pressure.

Afsar Khan responded by saying they are elected on the basis of development, having won twice from Kiradpura on that plank, and that they follow the Constitution without fear. This further provoked AIMIM corporators, who stood up in protest. As the situation escalated, Mayor Sameer Rajurkar intervened and brought the dispute to an end. By then, 45 minutes of the session had been lost to the commotion.