Navi Mumbai: Alleging a “one-sided selection process” dominated by governing BJP during the election of members to the Navi Mumbai civic transport committee, opposition Shiv Sena corporators climbed on to the dais and gheraoed mayor Sujata Patil on Monday. Later, they staged a walkout, protesting “injustice” over exclusion.A general body meeting of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) was convened to discuss key issues, including the 12-member transport committee’s election, ward formation and a proposed hospital.
While BJP has 65 corporators in the 111-member House, Shiv Sena enjoys the support of 42 corporators. In Sena corporators’ absence, all positions in the transport committee were filled by BJP. Shiv Sena had demanded the inclusion of at least five of its corporators on the committee, but BJP fielded members for all 12 posts. Sena corporators alleged they were not allowed to speak, which prompted them to boycott the proceedings. Vijay Chougule, leader of the opposition in NMMC, said Sena corporators will approach the urban development department to lodge a complaint over the opposition being deprived of its constitutional right to participate in a debate. He said BJP is trying to cancel the construction of a superspeciality hospital in Belapur in support of some cricket enthusiasts.Patil called the disruption a disrespect to her.
