Patna: Patna Mayor Sita Sahu has led a dharna, opening a direct confrontation with the Bihar government over what she described as the systematic erosion of civic leaders’ authority.
Flanked by members of the Municipal Body Federation at Gandhi Maidan on Friday, Sahu accused Urban Development and Housing Department minister Jibesh Kumar of running the system in a “dictatorial” manner. “We are being persecuted,” she told supporters, warning that the government would face political consequences in the upcoming assembly elections.
At the heart of the dispute is a recent state order mandating that empowered standing committee members in all urban bodies, including Patna Municipal Corporation, be chosen through secret ballot under the supervision of the district magistrate. The new rule requires the committees to be constituted within six months, a move that civic leaders say strips mayors and chief councillors of their right to select cabinet-like teams.
Ward councillor Satish Kumar argued that the change undermines the principle of executive authority. “Just as the Chief Minister has the right to choose his cabinet, the mayor and chief councillor should have the same right,” he said.
The federation, which represents mayors, chief councillors, ward councillors and district council presidents, has vowed to continue its agitation until the order is withdrawn.
