The Congress party and its INDIA bloc allies have launched a sharp attack against the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation, accusing its authorities of acting in a high-handed and unjust manner during a recent demolition drive. The controversy centers on an operation in the city's Salem Tabri area, which has sparked a major political row.
Political Outcry Over Demolition Actions
Senior leaders from the Congress and the INDIA alliance held a joint press conference to voice their strong condemnation. They alleged that the civic body's team, accompanied by a heavy police force, conducted demolitions in Salem Tabri on Tuesday with an intent to harass and intimidate the poorer sections of society. The leaders present included Ludhiana West MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu, District Congress Committee (Urban) president Sanjay Talwar, and senior leader KK Bittu.
The politicians claimed the drive lacked fairness and transparency. They argued that while the Municipal Corporation was quick to target vulnerable households and small shopkeepers, it consistently turned a blind eye to major illegal constructions owned by influential individuals and powerful builders across the city. This selective enforcement, they stated, exposed a deeply biased approach in governance.
Allegations of Bias and Harassment
The opposition leaders presented a detailed critique of the corporation's methods. They emphasized that the residents of the affected area were largely from economically weaker backgrounds. The demolition drive, conducted without what they called proper notice or consideration, inflicted significant distress and financial loss on these families.
MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu was particularly vocal, accusing the civic authorities of working under political pressure to target specific communities and areas. He framed the action not as a routine administrative measure, but as a politically motivated act of oppression against the common people. The leaders demanded that if the corporation was genuinely committed to removing encroachments, it must start with the big violators in posh localities and high-value commercial zones, not just the poor in congested areas.
Demands for Accountability and Future Action
The Congress and INDIA bloc have put forth clear demands in response to the incident. They are calling for an immediate halt to what they term as the "terror" unleashed by the Municipal Corporation in Salem Tabri and similar neighborhoods. Furthermore, they have warned of a large-scale protest if the civic body continues with its current approach.
The leaders threatened to escalate the matter by staging a massive demonstration outside the Municipal Corporation's office itself. Their goal is to force the authorities to adopt a more humane and equitable policy regarding encroachments. They insist that any future action must follow due process, provide adequate rehabilitation options, and be applied uniformly without fear or favor.
This incident has ignited a fresh debate on urban governance and the implementation of civic laws in Ludhiana. It underscores the ongoing tension between development drives aimed at clearing public land and the socio-economic realities of residents in densely populated urban settlements. The political fallout from this confrontation is likely to influence local administration strategies in the near future.
