Ahmedabad Row: BJP Slaps Showcause Notice on Corrupt Party Member Enmeshed in Commissioner Conundrum

BJP Corporator Faces Show-Cause Notice for "Indiscipline" Over Stormwater Drain Row

Ashish Joshi, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator from Ward 15 in Vadodara, has been issued a show-cause notice by the party over "repeated incidents of indiscipline". The move comes after a heated argument he had with Municipal Commissioner Dilip Rana during a recent General Board meeting of the civic body.

The dispute arose over the issue of cleaning a stormwater drain in Joshi’s ward, which had been a long-standing problem. According to Joshi, the drain had not been cleaned since January and was a major cause of flooding in the area during the monsoon season. The argument reportedly got intense, with Joshi taking an aggressive stand and Municipal Commissioner Rana growing defensive.

The matter was eventually brought to the attention of Mayor Pinky Soni, who visited the spot and directed the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) to begin cleaning the drain lines immediately. The work was subsequently carried out on Tuesday.

However, the incident has not gone down well with the VMC top brass, with some officials demanding an apology from Joshi for "insulting" the Municipal Commissioner. The party’s city unit has given Joshi three days to respond to the show-cause notice, which reportedly accuses him of having a "repeated history of indiscipline".

Joshi has denied the allegations, saying that his actions were motivated by a desire to raise issues affecting the people of his ward. "I have not seen the show-cause notice, but I believe I have been given an opportunity to present my side of the story," he said. "I have been a corporator for four years and have only raised the issues of the people, to whom I am accountable. I will apprise the new city chief of my work and respond accordingly."

Joshi has also rejected suggestions that he tender an apology to the VMC officers, saying that his argument was driven by a desire to bring attention to the people’s plight. "I have no ego, and my argument was for the sake of the people," he said. "I am glad that the work was done partially, and I will only apologize to the people of my ward, who suffered due to the VMC’s inaction."

The incident has also drawn criticism from some senior BJP leaders, who feel that Joshi’s conduct has damaged the party’s image. "Ashish Joshi has been engaging in many acts that are against the decorum of the party," said one senior leader. "We have issued a show-cause notice this time as during the argument he made comments that reflected poorly on the party’s image."

In recent days, the VMC has faced criticism for its handling of various issues, including the maintenance of stormwater drains. The controversy surrounding Joshi’s argument has added to the pressure, with many in the civic body calling for greater transparency and accountability.

Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/bjp-issues-notice-to-party-corporator-involved-in-spat-with-vmc-commissioner-over-cleaning-drains-9908211/
Category : Ahmedabad,Cities
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Publish Date: 2025-03-27 04:47:00