A stormy session of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation on Monday descended into chaos as councillors clashed over alleged exclusion from inauguration ceremonies of projects funded under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS). The uproar, marked by the removal of the MP’s nameplate from his House seat, once again revealed deep political friction between the city’s elected councillors and Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari’s office.
The confrontation began when BJP councillor Gurbax Rawat accused officials of bypassing elected representatives during the inauguration of MPLADS-funded works in her ward. She displayed photographs showing that her name was missing from a project plaque and said she was not invited to the ceremony. Several other BJP councillors supported her, claiming such inaugurations were being held selectively for publicity, leaving out local ward members.
Congress councillor Sachin Galav countered that the MP’s name being displayed on project boards was fully in line with MPLADS guidelines. He also reminded the House that during former MP Kirron Kher’s term, opposition councillors too were not always invited to similar functions. The exchange escalated when BJP councillor Saurabh Joshi removed Manish Tewari’s nameplate from his designated seat, prompting Galav to rush to restore it. The scuffle over the nameplate triggered a ten-minute shouting match before order was restored.
The dispute over inaugurations reflects a recurring strain in Chandigarh’s civic politics — one rooted in protocol, visibility, and overlapping jurisdictions. MPLADS allows MPs to recommend projects worth up to Rs 5 crore annually, but councillors have long demanded a say in works executed within their wards. Past records show similar disputes: in 2018, councillors sought higher ward development funds, while delays in MPLADS disbursals during the pandemic years created further resentment.
Even the participation of councillors at project launches has been inconsistent. For instance, when CCTV cameras were installed in Sector 45 last year under MPLADS, the area councillor shared the dais with MP Tewari. Monday’s clash, therefore, appeared to stem not from a new grievance but from a sense of selective recognition.
Adding to the charged session, AAP councillor Jasbir Singh Ladi raised the issue of Panjab University’s Senate and Syndicate restructuring, seeking discussion on its governance impact. However, Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla disallowed the motion, stating that the MC had no jurisdiction over university matters. Her decision prompted protests from AAP members but the discussion was ultimately dropped.