Mock GHMC General Council Meeting

The mock Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) General Council meeting which was organised by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporators was, for all intents and purposes, an educative and rib-tickling affair.

The mock meeting went ahead after the TDP and BJP corporators disregarded the Mayor's directions and broke the locks of the gates leading to administrative offices. The gate was locked on the Mayor's directions.

The mock meeting was educative because it brought to light many hidden facts about the procedures adopted by the council members to delay taking up civic works. It was also educative in the sense that it brought to light the widespread corruption in the corporation, and also revealed where the real powers lie.

The mock General Council meeting was organised by the TDP to highlight the fact that it was last held on August 28th.

According to the script, the 'Mayor' for the day, played by Balkampet corporator Shesha Kumari showed how easy it was to pass the onus of taking any decision on to her invisible 'husband'.

The 'Mayor' also directed each suggestion or demand to the 'Camp Office' even while the 'MIM corporators' remained mute spectators.

The tussles between the GHMC 'Commissioner' played by Rajasekhara Reddy and the 'Mayor' were the most entertaining.

In one particularly informative segment, the 'Mayor', who is pestered to take a decision, suggests that the 'payment' be given to her 'husband', but the complainant insists that 'the husband' should not be involved. At his insistence, the 'Mayor' blurts out that if he is so reluctant, she also has a Swiss bank account.

TDP and BJP Floor Leaders Singireddy Srinivas Reddy and Bangari Prakash played themselves in the mock meeting, while the role of Congress Floor Leader Kaleru Venkate was played by Venkat Ramana. The MIM Floor Leader Saleem Baig's role was played by Ramna Reddy.

The play depicted that the GHMC administration was working up to only 40% of its capacity, and the Congress and MIM leaders were only interested in taking commissions of the works allotted.

Courtesy: INN