Deccan Herald
Pics by Dayanand Kukkaje for Daijiworld News Network

Mangalore, Nov 17: Issue of separate seating arrangement for Corporators James D’Souza and Kavitha Sanil who were expelled from Congress party for cross-voting lead to heated exchange of words in the general body meeting of Mangalore City Corporation on Thursday. Following the chaos and confusion, Mayor Vijaya Arun adjourned the meet.

This was the first general body meeting after Vijaya Arun took charge as the Mayor. It may be recalled that Corporators James D’Souza and Kavita Sanil were expelled from the Congress for violating the whip and cross-voting in the election for the post of Standing Committee President. Accordingly, separate seats were arranged for the expelled members in the meeting on Thursday. However, James D’Souza who refused to oblige this, sat in the place allotted for Congress member Bhaskar Moily.

When proceedings began, Leader of Opposition Shankar Bhat informed about the efforts to outsource the maintenance of street lights in municipal bodies and added that tenders are floated in this regard.

The government has failed to regularise the service of persons maintaining the street lights. Only big contractors who can deposit large amount with the municipalities stand benefited from outsourcing. Though MCC had opposed the move, tenders are floated keeping the elected representatives in dark. Since outsourcing cause additional burden on MCC exchequer and tax-payers, regularising the services of existing employees is a better alternative, he suggested. 

At this juncture, Mayor Vijaya Arun noticed member James D’Souza seated in the row of Congress members. Immediately, she asked him to move to the seat provided for him.

However,  James refused to oblige and said that he hasn’t received any written instruction of expulsion. “Expulsion right is the prerogative of people who have elected me. Deputy Commissioner who is also the Election Officer hasn’t informed me about this,” he stated. However, Congress member Shashidhar Hegde and Mahabala Marla objected this and said that being a national party, the Congress has its own laws and procedure based on which disciplinary action was taken.

Another member expelled from the Congress, Kavita Sanil, expressed her dissatisfaction for being allotted a seat in the officials’ row. The Mayor clarified that expulsion order against James and Kavita applied for their primary membership of the Congress and they continue as members of the House till further action is taken.

BJP members asked the Mayor to resolve their internal matters outside the House. Politics should not creep in the general body meeting meant to discuss the development issues and civic problems, they stated. However, Congress members were adamant in their demand that proceedings shall continue only after James D’Souza honour the seating arrangement. Following the verbal exchange between members of ruling and opposition parties, the Mayor adjourned the House about half an hour after it was started.

When the proceedings resumed, Congress member Vishwanath staged a dharna demanding that seating arrangement should be honoured. When Chief Whip in the House Krishnappa Mendon began to address the House regarding the issue, BJP members raised objection following which the Mayor adjourned the House for the day.