Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Nov 2: Deputy Mayor of Srinagar, Pervaiz Qadri, today survived a no confidence motion after Commissioner of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) adjourned the House due to lack of quorum.
Two Councilors Nasir Ahmad Naikoo and Danish Bhat, both from Zadibal area, had moved the no-confidence motion against Pervaiz Qadri, who is also holding the chair of acting Mayor, since Junaid Matto, the former Mayor was ousted through a similar move.
The voting on the no-confidence motion was held today but due to lack of quorum, the Commissioner SMC adjourned the House. Click here to watch video
A floor test was called in by the Administration of the SMC to know the veracity and strength of the motion; however, due to lack of quorum, the House was adjourned.
There was a presence of 40 Corporators, but as per new amendment in the law, there has to be a strength of 53 members for no-confidence motion. “Therefore we adjourned it all over again,” Commissioner, SMC Gazanfar Ali said.
It may be mentioned here that earlier in August, a no confidence motion was brought in against the Deputy Mayor and that could not stand the ground. “Earlier one failed, this too failed and whenever they will file another motion that will also fail,” said Qadri.
The earlier one failed as only 26 Corporators signed the motion.
“I don’t know how they managed to entertain another motion in just 2 months,” the Dy Mayor said.
As per Municipal Act, 2000, if one motion is held and fails, then another one cannot be brought in for the next 6 months.
However, the Commissioner said that the Act was ambiguous and accordingly “we sought advice from the Law department which gave us an option of holding floor test.”
Regarding the Mayoral elections that have not been yet held due to COVID-19, the Deputy Mayor said now that there has been a decrease in COVID-19 and also the restrictions have been lifted, the Mayoral elections should be held now.
“The election was deferred twice; we have written to the Government. The Red Zone in Srinagar is over now. We demand that elections of the Mayor must be held immediately,” he said.
Sheikh Imran was absent from the House and extended support to Pervaiz Qadri. Out of 40 Corporators, who were present, 17 were from Congress and 23 from other parties like the PC and Independents.
The former Mayor Junaid Mattoo, who was said to be behind the move, was present in the House.
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