Pune: Despite being in power for one year in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hasn't got a grip on the developmental work and other responsibilities of the civic body.
After more than two decades, BJP became the single largest party to get a majority in the civic body, but still, it doesn't seem to have gauged the need of citizens, as expressed recently in the General Body meeting by BJP corporators, who expressed their unhappiness on the working of the party.
Unhappy corporators
Dheeraj Ghate, BJP corporator from Sane Guruji Vasahat ward, said, “Since last one year, I am pursuing different issues related to Rajendra Nagar Vasahat. I am requesting the Mayor Mukta Tilak to look into the matter and solve the problems as early as possible. This is my humble request.”
Sanjay Ghule, BJP corporator from Hadapsar said, "There is no development work in the area despite we being the ruling party members."
Two more corporators from the ruling party, Rajabhau Laigude and Saraswati Shendge also brought to the mayor's notice, the issue of the water crisis in their areas and are waiting for some action to happen.
Handling admin issues
BJP has got a majority of 97 in the house of 162 members. It is very worrisome that ruling party members are openly complaining in the General Body meeting about non-performance of the administration.
The ruling party should have an ability to get work done but there are two power centres inside the corporation. It is very difficult for the administration to decide how to work and whom to listen to. The Leader of House, Shrinath Bhimale, who should have command over the administration, is also short-tempered.
Not only his own party members but other officials also are not happy with the working style of the party.
Blaming administration
When asked about the incompetence of BJP after one year in the corporation, BJP City Unit Head Yogesh Gogawale said, “The administration is responsible for the situation. They are not giving correct information and guidance to the members. They are misleading the members and hence, things are not working properly.”
On the other hand, opposition like Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Congress and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are more aggressive and active as compared to BJP members. They have an upper hand in the administration than the ruling party.
Problem areas
Supervision: BJP City President Yogesh Gogawale is also keeping a close watch on party members and their work. He frequently visits the corporation and is also questioning officials about their work.
Problem areas: BJP party members still don't know the mechanism and work system of the PMC, its rules and regulations. They are still in the process of learning and hence, the administration is not taking them seriously. Most of the members are newly elected in the corporation.
Unhelpful seniors?
A disparity in the way the party workers function is also evident since senior BJP members are also not helping new members to understand PMC's day-to-day functioning.
