Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (AB/MS)

Mangaluru, Sep 19: Tensions flared between BJP and Congress members of the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) during the congratulatory meeting held after the election of the new mayor and deputy mayor.

The disagreement began after MP and MLAs extended their congratulations to the newly elected officials. When former mayor Sudhir Shetty Kannur began his congratulatory speech, members of the opposition Congress interrupted the proceedings by offering flower bouquets to the new mayor and deputy mayor. Annoyed by the interruption, Shetty said, "Why are you offering congratulations midway through my speech? It is not appropriate, especially when a member of the SC community has become mayor."

In response, the opposition members criticized Shetty for politicizing the event, saying, "It is wrong of you to criticise the state government during a congratulatory meeting. The MP and MLAs who spoke earlier refrained from political remarks. Why are you doing this?"

Opposition leader Praveen Chandra Alva added, "Previously, the mayoral reservation was for four general merit candidates. However, to implement SC reservation, our delegation approached the urban development minister and convinced him. That’s why SC reservation has been implemented, and a member of the SC community is now mayor. Congress deserves credit for this."

The verbal exchange eventually subsided, and the meeting resumed its course.