Political showdown? BJP, Cong close ranks against mayor
The protest, taking place at MC Zone D, has seen participation from Congress councillor Gaurav Bhatti and several former councillors, who have joined forces against the mayor and the ruling party.
Bhatti highlighted the issue of a sanitation worker's transfer, which he described as politically motivated, and demanded revocation of the transfer orders. He warned that failure to address the issue would lead to further protests at the MC office.
Bhatti also called for the passing of a resolution mandating consultation with the ward councillor concerned before transferring any sanitation employee.
BJP district president Rajnesh Dhiman reiterated that the protest was being held in larger public interest and insisted that the mayor address their concerns. Former state BJP president and former mayor of Amritsar, Shwait Malik, also joined the protest, criticising the current state of Punjab and accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of ruling dictatorially.
Malik emphasised that councillors from all parties have the right to advocate public interest and that development of wards should be a priority. He accused the AAP government of attempting to intimidate BJP councillors through legal action but asserted that the BJP would not be cowed down.
Mayor Inderjit Kaur accused BJP leaders of staging the protest for political gain. She said that she was open to discussions and had never refused to address councillors' issues in the past.
She also urged senior leaders visiting the city to consider the situation carefully.
Former Akali Dal MLA Ranjit Singh Dhillon expressed concern over the current state of Ludhiana and adviced the mayor to learn from past Akali mayors. He pointed out the city's struggles with sewage, water quality, road conditions, cleanliness, and traffic congestion. Dhillon praised the achievements of former SAD MLAs, who, he said, had successfully implemented a comprehensive sewerage network, water supply, road infrastructure, street lighting, and sanitation services.
He lamented the current administration's failure to maintain these developments and urged them to take responsibility for the city's condition.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched ward-level protests in Ludhiana, highlighting poor civic conditions. On Tuesday, demonstrations were held in eight wards, with councillors and workers raising issues like broken roads and poor sanitation. Ward 66 councillor Rohit Sikka led a clean-up drive with 100 volunteers near his residence.
Party's district president Rajnesh Dhiman said such protests would be held every day to expose the Aam Aadmi Party's alleged failures under the Smart City project.
He accused the ruling party of misleading the public, claiming development existed only on paper while taxpayers suffered.
In the evening, deputy mayor Prince Johar went to meet protesting BJP councillors and leaders. He offered juice to them and requested them to solve this matter amicably. BJP district president Rajnesh Dhiman briefed him about the issue and their demand. He added that they were ready to talk but it should be through the mayor. The deputy mayor has sought a day's time to work out a solution.
MSID:: 123120993 413 |
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
21 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Shinde meets Modi, targets Uddhav on INDIA bloc talks as both Sena chiefs signal national alignments
In what is being seen as symbolism and political posturing, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and reaffirmed his party's ties with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). At a time when Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray was also in New Delhi, Shinde attacked the former for aligning with the INDIA bloc and exploring a tie-up with the MNS ahead of civic body polls. While Shinde and his family met PM Modi at the latter's official residence, Uddhav and his son Aaditya Thackeray were in the national capital scheduled to attend an INDIA bloc meeting on Thursday. The presence of both Sena chiefs in Delhi — with each meeting their respective alliance partners — served as a clear reflection of their sharpening political identities and positioning at the national level. Sources also confirmed that Shinde had a closed-door 30-minute meeting with PM Modi without aides, during which state-related issues and electoral strategy were discussed. 'We took the path of Lok Kalyan Marg shown by Balasaheb, they went to 10 Janpath,' Shinde said after meeting the PM. 'That clearly shows who is following Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology. People of the country are are doing things Balasaheb never approved of,' he said, launching a scathing attack on Uddhav. Shinde also emphasized that the Shiv Sena was the fourth largest ally of the NDA. He accused Uddhav of 'sailing in two boats' by holding talks with INDIA bloc leaders while simultaneously keeping the door open for an alliance with Raj Thackeray's MNS. 'Only someone who has lost confidence in himself does that. In a democracy, everyone has the right to form alliances and coalitions. However, some people, having lost the trust of the public and are trying to balance on two stones,' he said in a veiled reference to Uddhav. 'People vote for those who work; those who sit at home are kept at home by the public,' he said. 'When Veer Savarkar was being insulted, they remained silent because they abandoned Hindutva,' Shinde said. Taking another swipe, he added, 'Shiv Sena is a party for public welfare, while their group is a private limited company.' During the meeting with PM, Shinde, accompanied by his wife Lata Shinde, son and MP Dr Shrikant Shinde, and daughter-in-law Vrushali Shinde, presented PM Modi with a specially commissioned painting of Lord Mahadev, crafted by acclaimed artist Kishor Nandivdekar. The gift, Shinde said, symbolised the successful 'Operation Sindoor' and 'Operation Mahadev', India's retaliatory strikes against the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack. 'Just as Lord Mahadev vanquished evil, our armed forces under the Prime Minister's leadership eliminated the terrorists,' he said. The painting, he added, was a tribute to that national effort and resolve. Earlier in the day, Shinde met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and praised him for becoming the longest-serving Home Minister in the country's history. 'He fulfilled Balasaheb Thackeray's dream by abrogating Article 370, crushed terrorism through Operation Mahadev, and strengthened the cooperative sector. His leadership is decisive and efficient,' Shinde said. Reiterating his Sena's political stand, Shinde announced that the Shiv Sena will support the NDA's candidate in the upcoming vice-presidential election and contest local body polls in Maharashtra as part of the Mahayuti alliance. 'Just like we fought the Assembly elections together, we'll go into civic polls united,' he said. Shinde used the occasion to question Uddhav Thackeray's Hindutva credentials, accusing him of abandoning the ideology and remaining silent on insults to Veer Savarkar. 'They gave up Hindutva. They stayed silent when Savarkar was insulted. That's why people won't stand by them,' he said. Targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shinde added, 'Questioning the Army's bravery, defaming India and the PM abroad, speaking the language of Pakistan — is not patriotism but love for Pakistan.' Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray's camp maintained its engagement with the INDIA alliance and met NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar in New Delhi. A day earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi met PM Modi, though both sides termed it a courtesy call. Uddhav is expected to join Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders for a strategy dinner ahead of the bloc's formal meeting. In a separate development, Shinde addressed public concerns over the relocation of a 36-year-old elephant named Madhuri from a Jain Math in Maharashtra to Gujarat's Vantara centre. He said the state government would file a review petition in the Supreme Court. 'The government respects public sentiment. Both Maharashtra and Vantara will be parties to the case,' he said.
India Today
28 minutes ago
- India Today
Revanth Reddy takes backward classes quota battle to Delhi, Vijay Deverakonda questioned by ED
This episode of Super 6 covers the Telangana government's push for a 42% reservation for backward classes, led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who protested at Delhi's Jantar Mantar to demand presidential approval for bills passed by the state assembly in March 2025. The proposed legislation aims to increase the reservation quota to 67%, surpassing the Supreme Court's 50% cap, and faces opposition from the BJP over the inclusion of a Muslim quota and criticism from the BRS regarding the protest strategy. A controversy erupted after the Chief Minister warned that opposing Rahul Gandhi's stance would lead to political consequences in Telangana. Additionally, the bulletin highlights an investigation in Dharamsthala, Karnataka, where poisonous substances were found in skeletal remains from two sites, actor Vijay Deverakonda's questioning by the ED in online betting app case and much more.
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
BJP leaders in Ludhiana await announcement of new district president, MC office protest site becomes platform for contenders.
Ludhiana: The Bharatiya Janata Party's leadership in Punjab has named new district presidents across most constituencies — but the crucial Ludhiana post remains in limbo amid internal competition and ongoing political protests. Party insiders say the delay stems from a fierce rivalry among senior members for the district president's role. Current president Rajnish Dhiman, councillor Sunil Moudgil, and former district chief Pushpinder Singhal are all seen participating actively in the BJP's protest at the municipal corporation's Zone-D office, in what observers view as an informal show of strength. Dhiman, who was appointed in Dec 2022, oversaw the party through several key polls, including parliamentary, municipal corporation, and the recent Ludhiana West byelection. His tenure, sources say, has been free of major controversy and marked by accessibility to party workers. However, newly elected councillor Moudgil has emerged as a strong contender, bolstering his presence by joining the protest alongside fellow councillors. A senior BJP member, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the decision on Ludhiana's district leadership will be taken by the party's central command. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Secret Lives of the Romanovs — the Last Rulers of Imperial Russia! Learn More Undo With state assembly elections two years away, the party is cautious about sparking internal unrest. "The BJP aims to contest all 117 seats independently, and the process for that has already begun. These new district appointments are part of strengthening the grassroots structure," the senior member said. Meanwhile, the party has appointed Gagandeep Sunny Kainth as the rural district president for Ludhiana. Kainth, who was rumoured previously to have flirted with the Congress camp during the Ludhiana West byelection, is now being entrusted with consolidating the BJP's rural base. He has been engaging with farmers across villages, especially over opposition to the state govt's land pooling policy, and is expected to be the party's key face in agrarian constituencies. MSID:: 123142654 413 |
