Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Feb 28: The general meeting of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) here on Wednesday February 28 witnessed uproar after the opposition BJP demanded clarification from mayor Kavita Sanil regarding her educational qualifications.

Showing a copy of the affidavit which was submitted by Kavita Sanil at the time of her appointment as mayor, opposition leader Ganesh Hosabettu said that in the affidavit, the mayor had mentioned her qualification as PUC-passed through correspondence. "But in many press meets, the mayor has claimed that she is a graduate. Hence people are doubtful about the mayor's educational qualification and they want clarification," he said.

When the BJP's attack escalated, the entire group of Congress corporators came to the mayor's rescue and argued that it was a personal matter that should not be discussed in the council. Some of the Congress corporators alleged that the opposition for the past one year was only interested in the mayor's personal issues and not in the development of Mangaluru or issues related to citizen welfare.

The mayor finally responded, "I have all the documents pertaining to my education. I am ready to show them, but the council is a place to discuss the issues of the people and the city, and not my personal matters."

Satisfied with the mayor's response, the opposition withdrew the issue and cooperated in the further proceedings.

In her thanksgiving speech, the mayor, who is on the verge of the end of her term, said, "During my tenure, the President of India, the Prime Minister, the governor and the chief miniter of the state visited the city, and all of them appreciated me. I am thankful to our district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai for his support and guidance. The role of the corporators of my party and the opposition helped me realize my dreams for the city's development. They guided me in administration. The media acted as a bridge between me and the people. Before becoming the mayor, I had engaged in social service, so after the end of my tenure also I will continue actively in carrying out social work. I love to serve the people."