Only 4 of 17 politicians turn up for panel meet

MUMBAI: While lakhs of citizens are hassled owing to the ongoing strike by Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) staff, only four of the 17 politicians nominated to the BEST committee, including the chairman, attended its meeting, where the issue was to come up for discussion, on Friday. According to the quorum rule, at least seven of the 17 members have to be present for a decision to be taken at the meeting.

Ravi Raja (Congress), who is also the Opposition leader in BMC, Sunil Ganacharya and Shrikant Kavathankar (BJP) were present.

None of the Shiv Sena members turned up for the meet that started around noon. With less attendance than mandatory, committee chairman Ashish Chemburkar had to adjourn the meeting. BEST committee members who skipped the meeting include former BEST chairman Anil Kokil, Sena’s union leader Suhas Samant, Rajesh Kusale (all Shiv Sena), and BJP members Nana Ambole, Sarita Patil and Atul Shah.

Congress member Bhushan Patil and NCP member Sunil Ahir reached late. “I was late because of some work in my ward,” said Kokil.

Ravi Raja said, “It is the responsibility of the ruling party to ensure quorum, but the Sena did not want the discussion, as it wanted to hide its failure in handling the labour strike.”

“BEST panel is an apex body and the members represent the people of the city. How can they be so careless,” asked a senior BEST official.

Sandhya Gokhale, an activist, said, “In the current scenario, they should have discussed how to resolve the strike and give relief to passengers.”