The political controversy over the amendment of ‘The Chhattisgarh Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019 refuses to die down as BJP continues to oppose it while the ruling Congress justifies its move to hold indirect election for the posts of Mayor and Chairman of civic bodies.
Another issue which has now emerged is ‘Right to Recall’, where people could recall the directly elected Mayor or Chairman if his performance is not up to the mark. The ordinance has nullified the provision.
Former Chhattisgarh State Election Commissioner Dr Sushil Trivedi when contacted said, “The ‘Right to Recall’ was provided in direct election of Mayor or Chairman of the civic body. But with the new ordinance there is no scope for it. The corporators can only move no-confidence motion against the Mayor or Chairman.”
Urban administration minister Shiv Dahariya too said Mayor or Chairman can be removed only through no-confidence motion in the state with new amendment.
Leader of Opposition Dharamlal Kaushik when contacted said, “The matter is being taken up by the party and discussion will be held on it.”
He said, till date there has been stability in civic bodies for 5 years which gave scope for development but now the Mayor’s priority and concentration will be to appease the corporators instead of development. So, the development will take a back-seat from now onwards. Instability will also loom large, he added.
