The General House meeting of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) witnessed a major uproar on Monday over alleged comments made by Chandigarh BJP president Jatinder Pal Malhotra, who reportedly referred to Punjabis as “emotional bloody fools.” Councillors from the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) demanded Malhotra’s resignation, displaying posters inside the House.
Opposition Demands Resignation
Congress councillors Gurpreet Gabi, Premlata, Sachin Galav, and Jasbir Singh Bunty demanded that Malhotra tender an unconditional apology for his remarks. AAP councillors also raised the issue of alleged embezzlement of donation funds at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir. In response, BJP councillors countered by raising a controversy over a video related to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and demanded his resignation.
Mayor Saurabh Joshi stated that the issue had already been resolved after Malhotra tendered an apology. However, the opposition remained unsatisfied, insisting that a mere apology was insufficient and that Malhotra should step down.
Protests Outside MC Office
Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Pradesh Congress held a protest outside the Municipal Corporation office, demanding the implementation of a proposal to provide 20,000 litres of free water per month to every household. HS Lucky, president of the Chandigarh Congress, said, “The delay in implementing a proposal already passed by the Municipal Corporation House is anti-people and reflects the failure of both the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party. Twenty thousand litres of free water is not a favour but the rightful entitlement.”
The protest highlighted the ongoing political tensions in the city, with both the BJP and AAP trading accusations. The Congress accused the ruling parties of neglecting public welfare for political gain.
