Protest at BMC: Mayor Sulochana Das draws flak for ‘double standards’ in action against corporators

A volatile atmosphere gripped the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters on Wednesday as residents of Ward 29 attempted to gherao the office in protest against the arrest of their corporator, Jeevan Raut.

The demonstration came just hours before the BMC’s crucial monthly meeting, the first to be chaired by newly appointed Commissioner Chanchal Rana.

Sources reported that the protest, involving over a hundred people, was held in front of the BMC office gate. Protesters raised slogans, alleging that the BJP corporator was deliberately targeted and arrested at the behest of Mayor Sulochana Das.

Raut, along with four others, was arrested last month for allegedly assaulting a BMC officer. However, his supporters claim that the incident was provoked and that the Mayor orchestrated a recording of the altercation to ensure his arrest.

Demand for Apology and Accusations of Political Vendetta

Protesters at the sit-in claimed that the arrest was politically motivated and demanded a formal apology from the Mayor.

“The video was recorded knowingly, and action was taken to defame our corporator. If this is justice, why are similar cases being handled differently?” asked a local participant from Ward 29.

They further alleged that the Mayor’s conduct reflected a pattern of selective action based on party affiliation. The anger stems not just from Raut’s arrest, but from what they see as a double standard in the handling of misconduct involving corporators from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

Contrast with BJD Corporator Case Raises Eyebrows

Adding fuel to the fire, residents pointed out a recent incident involving suspended BJD corporator Amaresh Jena from Ward 45, who was arrested in connection with a separate case involving allegations of raping a minor.

In that instance, the Mayor reportedly stepped in to mediate and resolve the matter internally, without the public drama or immediate arrests seen in Raut’s case.

“When a BJD corporator was involved in controversy, the Mayor helped resolve it. But for a BJP corporator, it became a public arrest. Why the double standards?” asked another protester.

Despite the growing unrest, the Mayor’s office has not issued any official statement on the allegations or on the protesters’ demands.

Broader Civic Issues Take Backseat

The protests disrupted the build-up to what was expected to be a policy-heavy BMC monthly review meeting.

Commissioner Chanchal Rana was scheduled to discuss key infrastructure and urban development concerns with all corporators, including flood control, dengue containment, monsoon preparedness, road repairs, street lighting, and ward-level complaints.

The Commissioner was also expected to review implementation of past resolutions and discuss proposals for increasing revenue collection, addressing outstanding dues from private institutions, and planning civic improvements ahead of the festive season.