Bihar urban development minister distances himself from mayor

GAYA: Distancing himself from Gaya mayor Vibha Devi, urban development minister Prem Kumar has made it clear that the mayor’s new status as a BJP member, would in no way come in the way of law taking its own course in the functioning of the Gaya Municipal Corporation (GMC) and the demand made by about a dozen corporators for a vigilance inquiry into the Corporation finances.
The mayor, who is in the eye of controversy for quite sometime now joined the BJP in the presence of urban development minister Prem Kumar in Gaya a few days back, fuelling speculation that the move to join the BJP was part of the mayor’s survival strategy as the all important urban development department is held by Prem Kumar, who also happens to be the town MLA.
Clarifying his position, Kumar made it clear that the fate of the mayor will depend on the legality or otherwise of her decisions and the kind of evidence available with respect to corruption charges levelled against the mayor and it has nothing to do with her newly-acquired BJP membership. The minister also said that when P K Bansal and Ashwini Kumar could not escape the consequences of their action how could the mayor get away if she has committed any wrong. The minister also made it clear that he cannot sit in judgement on the validity or otherwise of charges against the mayor and it was for the government agencies to take a call in the matter on the basis of material evidence.
Earlier, about a dozen corporators of the Gaya Municipal Corporation, while demanding vigilance inquiry into the Corporation finances accused the mayor, deputy mayor and municipal commissioner of indulging in questionable practices in the execution of projects and award/withholding of contracts including the installation of sodium vapour lamps, high mast lamps, purchase of valuables including 40 three wheelers for waste collection/disposal. The charges have been formally denied by the mayor, who said that she was ready to face a vigilance scrutiny.
The urban development minister, while distancing himself from the mayor revealed that the mayor was not invited to join the BJP, rather she deserted Congress on her own to join BJP at a function organized to induct members of the minority community in the BJP fold. He was himself surprised to see the mayor in the party induction meet, said the minister.
Giving reasons for her joining the BJP, the mayor said that she did not join BJP either for protection or to get personal benefits. She had joined the BJP in the larger interest of the Gayaites as the urban development minister is from the BJP and she could get more and more development projects sanctioned by the minister by joining the minister’s party, said the mayor.