After Phulbani Municipality, BJP chairpersons likely to lose no-confidence motions in Bhawanipatna & Junagarh; lawyers call for change in law

After losing the Chairperson post of Phulbani Municipality in a no-confidence motion recently, the ruling BJP is likely to face similar situations in Bhawanipatna and Junagarh.

As per reports, a no-confidence motion has been brought against Junagarh NAC Chairman Mukesh Agarwal and a meeting in this regard will be held on August 1. Junagarh NAC has a total of 12 Councillors with BJD having the majority of 10 while the BJP has only two Councillors. Though Agarwal has been directly elected as the Chairman by the people, he is likely to lose his position in the no-confidence position.

“He is the head of Junagarh NAC. However, nothing has been done under his chairmanship. Hence, we have brought the no-confidence motion against him,” said Himadri Nayak, Deputy Chairman of Junagarh NAC.

However, Agarwal refuted the allegations against him.

“I have been directly elected by thousands of people. However, only 10 to 12 Councillors have brought a no-confidence motion against me. Such things are happening across Odisha and it should be changed,” said Agarwal.

Earlier on June 23, the Chairperson of Phulbani Municipality, Smita Rani Mohanty lost her post under similar circumstances. The incident occurred within two months after the saffron party came to power in Odisha. 

It has been learnt that Opposition BJD has allegedly hatched a conspiracy to remove the elected chairpersons of BJP in the Municipalities where BJD has more number of Councillors. It was evident from the fact that BJD councillors celebrated in Naveen Niwas after the Phulbani Municipality Chairperson was defeated in the no-confidence motion.

Earlier in 2022, the BJD government had implemented a direct election for the post of Municipality Chairperson. However, as per the Odisha Municipal Act 1950, the system of bringing a no-confidence motion against the Chairperson with two-thirds of the Councillors is still prevalent. Taking advantage of this loophole, BJD created unsavoury situations in Phulbani and Junagarh. A similar situation has also been created in Bhawanipatna. However, the matter is currently sub-judcice as the Bhawanipatna Municipality Chairperson has moved Orissa High Court.

Under such circumstances, senior lawyers have called for a change in the law.

“When thousands of people have directly elected the Municipality Chairpersons, only 12-13 Councillors are removing him/her from the post. I think this kind of system should change. Otherwise, democracy will not be safe,” said senior lawyer Manas Mohapatra.