A bitter political confrontation has erupted within the Mohali Municipal Corporation, with the city's Mayor and Deputy Mayor publicly sparring over who should take credit for approved civic development projects. This open war of words between Mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu and Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi has exposed deep fissures within the ruling Congress party, raising serious concerns about internal unity just ahead of crucial municipal corporation elections.
Credit War Sparks Public Spat
At the heart of the dispute is a battle for political mileage centered on development works. Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi has been aggressively claiming that most of the sanctioned projects in Mohali are a result of his personal efforts. He has reportedly been displaying official documents related to approved works and has even threatened to stage protests to press his point. "The records clearly show who pursued and got these works approved," Bedi has asserted, according to sources.
However, the camp loyal to Mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu has hit back, accusing the Deputy Mayor of misleading the public. They allege that Bedi is attempting to portray routine administrative decisions as his personal achievements purely for electoral gain. This public blame game has shifted the focus away from civic issues, making political rhetoric the dominant topic in Mohali.
Beyond Development: A Fight for Leadership and Tickets
Political observers and sources indicate that this confrontation runs much deeper than a simple argument over development credits. It is widely seen as an early indicator of intense infighting within the Mohali Congress over two critical issues: leadership control and the distribution of tickets for the upcoming municipal polls. The public clash is viewed as a proxy battle for influence within the party's local unit.
Analysts warn that if the senior leadership of the Congress party does not intervene swiftly to mediate, this escalating factionalism could significantly damage the party's prospects in the city. The coming days are deemed crucial for the party high command to manage this internal discord and present a united front to the electorate.
Resident Concerns and Allegations of Protocol Breach
The public political drama has left Mohali residents anxious. Their primary concern is that this power struggle between the top two elected civic officials should not hamper the ground-level execution of essential civic works and delay development projects that the city needs.
Adding another layer to the conflict, Mayor Sidhu has formally accused Deputy Mayor Bedi of ignoring established civic protocol and rules. The allegations include rushing decisions without due process, remaining absent from important House meetings, and not adhering to prescribed municipal procedures. Sidhu's side contends that these actions reflect a pattern of administrative indiscipline from the Deputy Mayor's office.
As the tussle plays out in the open, all eyes are on the Congress party's state leadership to see if they can rein in their local leaders and prevent this internal feud from derailing both governance and their electoral chances in Mohali.
