Ambala Mayor accuses MLA, MC Commissioner of harassment

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 6

Ambala Mayor Ramesh Lal Mal today accused Municipal Corporation (MC) Commissioner Ajay Singh Tomar of targeting him at the behest of Ambala City MLA Aseem Goyal and sending him a notice for “damaging” corporation property by removing a camera installed outside his office.

Alleging he was being “targeted” because he was a Dalit, Mal, accompanied by 13 members of the House, claimed the attempt was to de-stabilise the Congress-Haryana Jan Chetna alliance in the House to gain control of the MC.

“The MC Commissioner got a CCTV camera installed outside my office without my consent. The idea was to spy on me and those coming to see me. I had it removed in the presence of my entire staff. However, five days later, I was served a notice that the camera installed outside my office was ‘missing’ and I was, in one way, accused of theft. This is a serious issue since everybody, including the Commissioner, knows that I had it removed and it is in my safe custody. Where is the scope for it being stolen? He is acting at the behest of local BJP MLA Aseem Goyal and harassing me,” Mal stated.

The Mayor said such incidents have happened before. “My gunman was withdrawn, the safai karamcharis in my ward were withdrawn, my staff was taken away and I am being deliberately sidelined,” he claimed. This was seconded by the other members present at the press conference.

He said he would approach the National Commission of SC/STs against the treatment meted out to him. He also claimed that the Commissioner appointed by the government did not fulfil the mandatory five-year experience criteria to hold the post.

Goyal termed the allegations “baseless” and said his government had zero-tolerance for corruption, which was causing discomfort to the Mayor. “I have no time for all this. Contrary to their claims, it is they who are unable to accept that I defeated a veteran they owe allegiance to and became an MLA. Also, I don’t know where the question of caste has come from,” he said.

Anil Kumar, Principal Secretary, Urban Local Bodies, said the department had received no such complaint from the Mayor. He said the government was there to facilitate the working of the elected representatives and would look into the matter if approached.

Tomar’s mobile was switched off and he could not be contacted.