‘Revolt’ against Shimla mayor: BJP tries to placate dissenting councillors
SHIMLA : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making efforts to placate its dozen municipal corporation (MC) councillors who have upped the ante against Shimla MC mayor Kusum Sadrate. Dissatisfied with Sadrate’s work, the councillors have been demanding her removal.
Fearing that revolt from the councillors is detrimental for the party’s image ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, BJP pressed its troubleshooters to pacify the angry councillors.
The councillors were dissatisfied with the mayor’s functioning style for a while, but the resentment increased after water crisis hit Shimla town leading to widespread public anger.
Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur told media men on sidelines of International Yoga Day function on sidelines of the International Yoga Day said,“The matter will be sorted out soon. We will sit together and resolve the issue.”
Two days ago, more than a dozen councillors demanded the mayor’s resignation and submitted a dissent letter to education minister Suresh Bhardwaj. Councillors alleged that the mayor was functioning in an arbitrary manner.
Since the councillors submitted a letter demanding mayor’s removal, the party’s state organisational secretary Pawan Rana has spoken to the councillors, chief minister’s political secretary Trilok Jamwal has also contacted the councillors and few councillors met the chief minister as well to discuss the matter.
Meanwhile, Shimla legislator Suresh Bhardwaj underplayed infighting in the BJP ruled civic body.
“I am not aware of any letter submitted by the councillors. The person to whom this letter was written would be able to answer on the issue. There could be some rift within. The chief minister has made it clear that the issue will be sorted out,” Bhardwaj said.
“I am aware of the responsibilities of a mayor. We belong to the same organisation. I am not aware of any resentment among the councillors. The decision taken by the party and organisation will be fully acceptable to me,” said Kusum Sadrate.