Mayor Bhargav stated that Qadri’s position as a corporator had lost relevance since he went absconding and was later jailed. He added that Qadri’s written reply from jail was “merely emotional and factually baseless,” highlighting that previous allegations against him, including alleged funding for love jihad, were proven and ignored by Congress. The Mayor further accused Congress of abandoning the House during the proceedings, implying their silence amounted to supporting wrongdoing.
“I want to ask Rahul Gandhi, state president Jitu Patwari, and Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar: is Congress in favour of love jihad?” Bhargav questioned.
Congress Walkout and Protests
Before the proposal was tabled, Congress corporators staged a walkout and later sat on a dharna outside the hall, protesting poor road conditions and traffic mismanagement. Inside, they displayed placards highlighting pothole-ridden streets and raised slogans, even sitting in front of the Speaker’s chair.
Congress corporator Raju Bhadoriya criticized the absence of Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait in the hall and personally presented one to Speaker Munnalal Yadav. Corporator Fouzia Sheikh Aleem raised concerns about the BRTS corridor, which BJP members, including Rajendra Rathore and the Mayor, addressed.
Chaos in the House
The session at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Parishad Hall (Atal Sadan) was marked by repeated disruptions. At one point, lights went off unexpectedly, prompting Congress Leader of Opposition Chintu Choukse to comment that the corporation lacked funds even for a generator. Heated debates also erupted over city signage and advertisement hoardings, with BJP corporator Yogesh Jender asserting that no certificate from those booked under the NSA was required, sparking further arguments.
Choukse, joined by other opposition corporators, sat on the floor demanding answers. BJP corporators raised slogans demanding apologies, intensifying the confrontation.
Opposition’s Counter
Choukse challenged the ruling side, stating,
“If NSA has really been invoked against Raju Bhadoriya, I will resign from my corporatorship today itself.”
He also questioned the Mayor about city finances, asking,
“If the corporation has no money, how will you fix the city’s potholes?”
The Mayor responded that a debate on finances would follow, but arguments continued until the session concluded.
A Session of Tension
Thursday’s IMC House meeting highlighted the widening rift between BJP and Congress corporators. From protests over potholes to personal allegations, power outages, and loud sloganeering, the session underscored the charged political climate in Indore’s municipal politics. The expulsion of Anwar Qadri, passed without Congress present, further intensified the controversy.
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