Staying away from the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun might cost leader of opposition in the MCD, Neenu Sehgal his position as the Congress councilors are now considering the option of electing another councilor as the leader of Opposition here. Sehgal has been demanding the removal of Mukhya Nagar Adhikari (MNA) Harak Singh Rawat while also insisting that he would not visit the MCD unless the MNA is transferred out of the corporation.
It has been more than two months since the leader of opposition in MCD visited the corporation, which the Congress councilors believe is proving detrimental not only to the position of the party in the corporation but also affecting the public interest issues which could have been raised strongly by the party. The nominated councilors were already opposed to letting Sehgal continue in the position of the leader of opposition and now, if sources are to be believed, the elected Congress councilors are also considering replacing Sehgal.
It is worth mentioning here that following differences regarding execution of municipal work, Sehgal has been demanding the removal of Rawat from the post of MNA. He had also raised this issue with the Congress State leadership and the chief minister Harish Rawat.
However, according to sources, it was felt by both the CM and the party leadership that Harak Singh Rawat was doing a good job as the MNA so Sehgal’s demand for his removal from MCD was not acted upon. A miffed Sehgal has continued to stay away from the MCD and did not even attend the recent board meeting and meeting of the MCD executive. The nominated councilors are said to be miffed at him for neglecting his responsibilities as a public representatives.
The absence of the leader of opposition has prevented the Congress councilors from forcefully raising issues related to developmental works, civic works and other issues of public interest. Now even the elected Congress councilors are considering the option of electing someone else to the post of leader of opposition in the MCD. According to sources, the party’s chief whip at the MCD, councilor Jagdish Dhiman could be elected to this post in view of his seniority. Sources state that the Congress councilors have been asked to gather at the MCD in the next couple of days to take action on this issue. Dhiman could be voted to the position of the MCD leader of opposition.