SRINAGAR: A new twist emerged in Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) after a group of corporators suspected their signatures were used for the removal of Mayor.
A no-confidence motion was moved against the Mayor Junaid Mattu on Tuesday after more than 40 elected members signed a move for his removal.
More than ten corporators wrote a letter to SMC Commissioner requesting him not to include their signatures against the removal of Mayor. They suspect that their signatures might have been used to move no-confidence motion.
“I suspected it because I was approached for giving my support to no-confidence motion. Since I refused, like others, I suspect my fake signatures might have been included too,” said a councillor.
The move to remove mayor and his deputy which was going behind the scene for more than a month surfaced on Monday when a group of 47 councillors submitted a no-confidence motion against detained Deputy Mayor Sheikh Imran.
While the deputy mayor tendered his resignation from sub-jail MLA Hostel, Mattu shot a letter to SMC Commissioner with signature of more than 40 corporators backing him.
SMC Commissioner Khurshid Sanai told Kashmir Reader they are examining the no-confidence motion moved against the Mayor.
“The office has received a no confidence motion against mayor, and his letter with signatures of his supporting councillors. We are examining it as of now, and meanwhile we will send the no confidence motion to the government.
The fate would be decided on the day of floor test which is most likely to take place on December 26,” he said.
More than half-a dozen corporators with whom Kashmir Reader spoke to said that the move to remove the duo was started by BJP. The party has been secretly trying to garner support in favour of its candidates Nazir Gilkar for mayor post and Arif Raja as his deputy.
Since August 4, when special status was abrogated, no work could be done by the councillors due to lockdown and detention of the deputy mayor.