Aam Aadmi Party's Internal Rift Goes Public in Ludhiana
The simmering tensions within the Aam Aadmi Party's Ludhiana unit boiled over on Republic Day, as senior deputy mayor Rakesh Prashar and the deputy mayor staged a dramatic boycott of the official flag-hoisting ceremony. The leaders publicly accused the administration of deliberately disrespecting them, highlighting a growing power struggle within the party's municipal leadership.
Ceremony Disrupted by Allegations of Disrespect
The controversy began early Monday morning at the municipal corporation's Zone-D office, where the Republic Day celebrations were scheduled to commence at 8:55 AM. According to the aggrieved deputy mayors, their vehicles were denied entry to the premises, forcing them to park outside in what they described as a protest against the perceived disrespect.
"We were completely ignored and received improperly," claimed the deputy office-bearers, who alleged a systematic breakdown in communication and protocol. Upon eventually entering the building, they chose to wait in a side room along with several BJP councillors, rather than proceeding to the designated ceremony site.
Conflicting Accounts of Protocol Violations
Witnesses reported that mayor Inderjit Kaur arrived promptly at 8:52 AM, received a formal welcome, and proceeded to hoist the national flag exactly at the scheduled time of 8:55 AM. By the time the deputy mayors emerged from their waiting room, the national anthem had already begun playing.
Feeling deeply slighted that the ceremony had proceeded without their participation, the duo refused to join the event and immediately left the premises. "The zonal commissioner personally asked me to sit inside a room, yet the mayor was never informed of my arrival," Prashar alleged in his official complaint to the local bodies minister.
Administration Defends Timeline and Protocol
Zonal commissioner Jagdev Singh Sekhon presented a contradictory account, stating that staff members were sent twice to inform the deputy mayors about the mayor's arrival and the imminent commencement of ceremonies. "They did not respond to the messages," Sekhon asserted, challenging the deputy mayors' version of events.
Mayor Inderjit Kaur defended the administration's actions, emphasizing strict adherence to official protocol. "The flag was to be hoisted at 8:55 AM precisely," she explained. "When all other officials and councillors were present at the spot, these leaders should have been there as well. Nothing was done intentionally; everything happened in haste to meet the schedule."
Broader Complaints About Event Management
The disgruntled deputies raised additional concerns about the administration's event management practices. They alleged that formal invitation letters had not been sent to all councillors, with the administration relying instead on phone calls that resulted in poor attendance at the civic event.
This incident has exposed significant internal friction within AAP's Ludhiana leadership, raising questions about coordination and communication within the municipal administration. The public nature of the dispute suggests deeper organizational challenges that extend beyond this single ceremonial event.
The boycott has drawn attention to the delicate balance of power within municipal corporations and the importance of protocol in official functions. As both sides maintain their conflicting positions, the episode has become a talking point in Ludhiana's political circles, potentially affecting public perception of the AAP-led administration's unity and efficiency.
