Panvel Civic Meeting Erupts Over Inclusion Of 19 Villages, Shetkari Kamgar Paksha Corporator Suspended Amid Uproar

Panvel: A heated debate erupted during a special general body meeting of the Panvel Municipal Corporation on Tuesday, as discussions over the inclusion of 19 villages from Gavan and Vadhghar zilla parishad constituencies sparked controversy. The situation escalated when residents in the gallery cheered comments made by Opposition corporator Leena Garad, who criticized the civic body's performance.

This cheered response triggered arguments between ruling BJP and opposition members. As a result, Shetkari Kamgar Paksha corporator Prakash Mhatre was suspended from the meeting. The Opposition then chose to leave the meeting in protest. The agenda included five items, with the fourth item focusing on the inclusion of the proposed villages.

During the debate, Garad questioned the civic body's capability to manage the added responsibility, pointing out that Class C employees were managing tasks suited for Class A officers at the ward level, while several key positions remained unfilled. She also criticized the lack of timely responses to corporators' queries and inadequate basic infrastructure facilities.

Garad's remarks elicited applause from Gavan and Vadhghar residents in attendance. Mayor Nitin Patil ordered the clappers to exit the hall. The incident led to further tensions, with BJP corporators questioning the residents' role in the meeting and accusing Mhatre of orchestrating their presence. The voters were removed from the hall by security.

BJP members claimed Mhatre had provoked the disruption by mobilizing the residents. Mayor Patil subsequently suspended Mhatre's participation in the proceedings. The opposition corporators, angered by the suspension, walked out and complained outside the hall. Former zilla parishad member Ravindra Patil suggested the residents applauded due to lack of prior notice about the meeting.

He also objected to the removal process, alleging abusive language was used. The opposition reiterated their opposition to the proposed merger, stating residents would not accept the inclusion of their villages in the municipal corporation.