Councillors protest against SMC mayor

Rifat Mohidin

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 22

The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) continues to be embroiled in various controversies due to a division among the councillors and friction between two top elected leaders.

On Tuesday, a group of councillors protested at Lal Chowk here against mayor Junaid Azim Mattu, claiming he was backed by the BJP and RSS. They also burnt an effigy of Mattu. They supported deputy mayor Sheikh Imran, who was injured after being “attacked” by two councillors during a meeting on Monday.

“This has become a circus while developmental works in the city are suffering. The residents were hoping that after the election of the councillors, local issues would be addressed. However, these people are only trading charges. We don’t foresee any growth in the city if this continues,” said Nazir Ahmed, a resident of the Bohri Kadal area.

The SMC has been involved in several controversies since the MC election were held in November 2018. Earlier, a woman councillor had accused the Mayor of “sexual harassment”, which the latter had denied. Then again a war of words was witnessed between the deputy mayor and mayor over the cleanliness of the Dal Lake.

There has been a widespread criticism of the two for mocking each other openly in the media.

“Hope better sense prevails among people at the helm of affairs at the SMC. They must respect the people’s mandate and do their job so as to meet the expectations of the city residents,” said Salman Sagar, a former mayor.

There has also been a division among the councillors with some supporting the mayor and others backing the deputy mayor.

However, Mattu said a majority of councillors were focused on their work.

“A majority is focused on work. Only a handful of councillors, at the behest of one individual, are trying to sabotage good governance in the city,” he said.