MC’s General House meeting cancelled for indefinite time

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, September 18

Following a no-confidence motion moved by the Congress against the Mayor, the General House meeting scheduled to be held on Wednesday has been cancelled for an indefinite time.

Moreover, Mayor Balwan Rai Nath has started exploring legal options. Besides, he, along with SAD councillors, had met SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Union Minister Harsimrat Badal at their residence in Badal village a few days ago. The SAD councillors had apprised them of the recent development.

The Mayor and SAD councillors said the state government was not providing them any funds for carrying out development works in the city.

It is learnt that Sukhbir Badal had assured them of full support, while Harsimrat Badal has announced a grant of Rs5 lakh each for their wards so that they can install tree guards, benches and carry out patch work in their areas.

On September 13, a General House meeting was held. But at the start of the meeting, the Senior Deputy Mayor and the Deputy Mayor, along with Congress councillors, had objected to the meeting saying that they received the agenda of the meeting late. Therefore, they are not prepared to take part in the meeting. After that, the Mayor Balwant Rai Nath had announced that meeting had been postponed to September 18. On the same day after the meeting, Congress councillors moved no-confidence motion against the Mayor. They submitted a letter signed by 25 councillors to the Deputy Commissioner and MC Commissioner. They also marked the letter to the Mayor.

Senior Congress councillor Jagroop Gill said, “As per the norms, the Mayor had to call a meeting within 15 days. He cannot delay the meeting further.”

There are 50 councillors in the House. The SAD had won 21 seats, Congress 10 and BJP 8. A total of 11 Independents were elected in 2015 MC poll. Now, the tally of the Congress has gone up to 24 in the House as many councillors have joined the party this year, while the SAD has 15 councillors and BJP six. There are five Independent councillors.

In an interesting development, Independent councillor Gurmeet Kaur, who had signed the letter of no-confidence motion, has appeared before the Divisional Commissioner at Faridkot. The councillor alleged that her signature was taken on the pretext of carrying out development works. The councillor said she was unaware of no-confidence motion.

She said she was still with Mayor Balwant Rai Nath and the SAD.