Mayor Bypassed: Standing Committee Head Khandekar Takes the Helm at HDMC GB

Hubballi: In a surprising twist, the general body meeting of the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation witnessed a rare occurrence – instead of the mayor or deputy mayor, a standing committee chairman took charge. Mayor Veena Bharadwad, facing internal criticism from BJP HDMC members, found herself sidelined as party members dissatisfaction came to the forefront.

The meeting, initially delayed for an hour due to a lack of quorum, saw neither the mayor nor the deputy mayor in attendance even after the delay. Infuriated by this, floor leader Shivu Hiremath proposed Standing Committee of Works chairman Beerappa Khandekar to preside over the meeting. Strikingly, the opposition parties, usually critical of officials, defended them in this instance.

Congress members, expected to oppose this move, surprisingly supported it, coinciding with Veena, Satish, and Commissioner Ishwar Ullagaddi’s absence as they went to receive Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the airport.

Upon their return, Opposition leader Suvarna Kallakuntla, also part of the welcoming committee, questioned the meeting’s legality in their absence, leading to verbal clashes with BJP members. Commissioner clarification that, in the absence of the mayor and deputy mayor, any standing committee chairman can preside over the meeting did little to appease Suvarna’s concerns.

Dissatisfaction within the BJP ranks came to the forefront during discussions on subjects brought to the general council without proper approval. Former mayors Veeranna Savadi, Shivu Hiremath, and Iresh Anchatgeri strongly criticized the mayor, deputy mayor, and commissioner, highlighting dissatisfaction with the corporation’s current functioning.

Mayor Veena Bharadwad and Deputy Mayor Satish Hangal found themselves in the crosshairs of their own party members, particularly over their approach to subject approvals and tender processes. Visibly embarrassed, Mayor Veena remained silent as senior party members openly disapproved of their handling of municipal affairs.

Former mayor Veeranna Savadi went further, suggesting the need to involve the opposition leader in subject selections, emphasizing the importance of working for public welfare over party affiliations. The episode concluded with a subtle reminder that, above all, they were there to serve the public’s interests rather than favoring any particular political group.