Congress Councillor Detained for Violating Regulations at Rajkot General Board Meeting

Rajkot : Tensions flared at the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) on Thursday as Congress councillor Vasaram Sangathiya, accompanied by Komal Bharai, found themselves detained by city police for purportedly contravening regulations governing the general board meeting.

The incident unfolded amidst a backdrop of contention, with Sangathiya alleging unjust obstruction by BJP officials, while municipal authorities cited procedural uncertainties as the basis for his exclusion.

The sequence of events leading to Sangathiya’s detention traces back to his persistent endeavors to secure admission to the general board meeting, despite purported resistance from RMC officials. Having sought permission from both the RMC secretary and the city Mayor to attend the session, Sangathiya’s overtures were rebuffed, prompting him to assert his right to participate by attempting to enter the meeting venue.

Undeterred by refusals, Sangathiya’s recourse to brandishing a court order failed to sway officials, leading to his subsequent detention by city police. Expressing frustration at his exclusion, Sangathiya attributed the denial of entry to what he perceived as the BJP government’s apprehension of his probing inquiries. He decried the alleged misuse of police powers as an affront to democratic principles and vowed to pursue legal recourse to address what he deemed an infringement of his duties as a corporator.

In response, Rajkot Municipal Standing Committee Chairman Jaymin Thacker clarified that Sangathiya’s exclusion stemmed from procedural uncertainties surrounding his eligibility to attend the board meeting. While the RMC had sought clarification from the Development Commissioner regarding Sangathiya’s participation, the absence of a response precluded his admission to the session.