Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar along with other party corporators staged a protest at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters on Wednesday, after an argument took place between Shiv Sena corporator Vishakha Raut, Pednekar and the BMC administration, including municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal.
The war of words took place ahead of the BMC ward committee elections due to concerned officials not being present during the start of the elections.
BMC ward committee elections were held on Wednesday afternoon. The Elections were scheduled on Wednesday at 10.am. The mayor and corporators reached the BMC headquarters before time, while none of the officials including the Assistant Municipal Commissioner and Deputy Municipal were present at the venue. This irked corporators and even Mayor.
Sena corporators also tried to contact concerned officers but did not receive any response. Later, when Sena group leader Vishaka Raut called the municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, an argument alleged took place between the two. After the argument, Pednekar along with other Sena corporators sat on a dharna at BMC headquarters alleging “rude behaviour” by Chahal and civic administration.
'How can we hold elections in the absence of senior and other administrative staff? The BMC commissioner should ensure that his officials and administrative staff are punctual and respect others time. Despite repeatedly calls to Assistant Municipal Commissioner of G south ward Sharad Ughade and even Deputy Municipal Commissioner, neither of the two answered our calls nor did they called back. They must understand if corporators are calling repeatedly, there must be some reason. Following that house leader Vishakha Raut called the BMC commissioner Chahal, however he spoke rudely to her. He said, can't you wait for sometime," said Pednekar.
"There might be issues personal or professional, one should not vent it out over phone on some other person. Besides If officials were busy, they should have at least informed us," said Pednekar. Both Pednekar and Raut even threatened, to write to the chief minister reporting about the incident. The issue was resolved as soon as Chahal apologised.