SMC officer transferred after he visits BJP office

SURAT: Can BJP leaders summon Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) officials to the party office to solve 'people's problems'? City BJP president Purnesh Modi sees nothing wrong in it, but senior SMC officials are unhappy with a recent incident.SMC commissioner S Aparna recently transferred DA Harplani, in charge zonal officer of Limbayat, after he visited the BJP office during a demolition drive on Dindoli Road. Sources in SMC said Harplani with his team was removing encroachments when a local corporator came there and abused him, ordering him to stop the demolition. When he did not listen, Modi called him up and summoned him to the party office. Sources added Harplani went to meet Modi. Later, he was transferred."This is not the first incident of its kind. Politicians often pressurise us,"said an officer on the condition of anonymity.Modi told TOI, "I didnot know about the demolition. I called him to discuss another issue. I can callanyone anywhere as a political leader to solve public issues. There is no lawthat states you can't meet civic officials outside the SMC office.""If the political leaders start behaving like lords of the city,nothing would move in SMC," a senior SMC officer said. Mangu Patel,in charge minister of the city said, "As I am in Gandhinagar I am unaware of theincident and so will not comment."