Vadodara Municipal Corporation Budget Session Descends Into Chaos
The annual budget meeting of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) witnessed unprecedented acrimony and disruption on Tuesday, as controversial remarks from a suspended BJP councillor triggered a major uproar within the general board. The session, which was scheduled to deliberate on the civic body's financial blueprint for the 2026-27 fiscal year, had to be adjourned prematurely due to the escalating commotion.
Budget Presentation and Initial Proceedings
At the commencement of the session, VMC standing committee chairman Dr Sheetal Mistry formally presented the municipal budget for the upcoming financial cycle. The detailed budgetary proposals outline the corporation's planned expenditures and revenue projections for infrastructure, public services, and administrative operations across Vadodara.
Following the chairman's comprehensive budget speech, several councillors representing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rose to express their support for the financial proposals. The initial phase of the meeting proceeded with orderly discussions and customary parliamentary decorum.
The Controversial Intervention
The atmosphere within the general board chamber shifted dramatically when Ashish Joshi, a corporator who had been suspended from the BJP amid a significant controversy linked to the mothers of two victims of the tragic Harni boat accident, stood to raise objections.
In his contentious address, Joshi leveled serious allegations against the municipal administration, claiming that the civic body was experiencing substantial revenue losses from multiple sources. The suspended councillor specifically pointed to what he described as irregularities concerning land parcels owned by the VMC and other associated entities.
Escalation and Adjournment
Joshi's claims immediately sparked vehement protests from ruling party members, who vociferously objected to his statements. The chamber quickly descended into noisy scenes as heated exchanges erupted between different factions of councillors.
As the commotion intensified and parliamentary proceedings became impossible to continue, the presiding officer had no choice but to adjourn the meeting for the remainder of the day. The general board is now scheduled to reconvene on Wednesday morning to resume deliberations on the municipal budget.
Broader Implications
This disruption comes at a critical juncture for Vadodara's municipal governance, as the corporation prepares to finalize its financial roadmap for the coming years. The incident highlights the ongoing political tensions within the VMC and raises questions about the decorum of civic deliberations.
The three-day budget session, which was intended for thorough examination of fiscal proposals, now faces uncertainty regarding its productive continuation. All eyes will be on Wednesday's proceedings to see whether normal parliamentary functioning can be restored or whether further disruptions might occur.
