No question of pact with BJP: NC
SRINAGAR: A no-confidence motion “ supported” by the Bharatiya Janta Party(BJP) has been submitted against mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Junaid Azim Mattu.
Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), BJP’s Kashmir media in-charge, Manzoor Bhat said that party’s corporators are supporting the no-confidence motion against the mayor. “We have 27 corporators in Srinagar Municipal Corporation. Of them, four were elected on the party’s ticket and 23 joined us after winning the election as independent candidates,” he said.
Interestingly, senior BJP leader Altaf Thakur said the party is yet to decide on the matter. The BJP has also made an unsuccessful attempt in December last year to unseat Mattu from key position.
On the other hand, National Conference said there is no question of any understanding with BJP in Srinagar Municipal Corporation or elsewhere.
“JKNC has no understanding, or inclination to have an understanding with BJP. Neither in SMC Srinagar nor elsewhere,” the party said in a tweet.
Meanwhile, Mattu said he will fight the move democratically and legally. “We will fight this democratically and legally as this is yet another litmus test for the mainstream. This is the second attempt in 6 months and we are certain of proving our majority and defeating this blatantly illegal, undemocratic maneuvering,” Mattu tweeted. He said those who have submitted the motion are either elected members’/ office bearers of BJP or unambiguously with BJP.
“Been informed that BJP has sought a Vote of No Confidence in the SMC against me. Those who have submitted the motion are either elected members/ office bearers of BJP or unambiguously associated with BJP. This is the second such motion by BJP against me within 6 months,” he said.
Meanwhile, a no- confidence motion was submitted in the Srinagar Municipal Corporation against Mattu this afternoon. A senior official said that they would look into whether no-confidence
motion is admissible at this stage. “While the group led by Sheikh Imran is claiming that no-confidence vote did not take place on December 26, Mattu’s gcamp claims that they cannot bring the motion till completion of six month period from last such move ,” he said, adding that they have called records and videography of December 26 event to decide on the matter.