After high-pitch drama, HC hold back result of ‘No Confidence Motion’ against MC Udh

Yogesh Sagotra. Updated: 9/23/2022 11:51:22 AM Front Page

Next hearing in case on Nov 17

Jammu: After high-pitch drama, the Jammu Kashmir High Court on Thursday directed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Udhampur Municipal Council not to declare the result of voting on ‘No Confidence Motion’ against BJP supported president Dr.Jogeshwar Gupta, voting for which were held this afternoon.’
As per sources, anticipating defeat during floor test despite intervention of BJP leadership, Dr Jogeshwar Gupta moved to High Court, challenging the process of ‘No Confidence Motion’ and credentials of 11 councilors (Who Moved the Motion), against whom disqualification proceedings were initiated and pending before Chief Electoral Officer, J&K.
“The removal proceedings against president municipal council Udhampur Dr.Jogeshwar Kumar Gupta, brother of Ex MoS Finance and MLA Udhampur Pawan Gupta put on hold by J&K High Court,” said Advocate Ankur Sharamm, who represented Dr Gupta.
Sharma said that Justice Sanjay Dhar after hearing the parties at length ordered that the result of voting on No Confidence motion shall not be declared till next hearing, which sets for Novermer14.The CEO, MC Udhampur also asked to keep the ballot boxes in seal and safe custody.
Advocate Sharma further said that Dr.Jogeshwar Gupta will now continue to hold the chair of President MC Udhampur.
As per sources, the floor test on NO Confidence Motion was held and votes were locked in the ballots box.
It has been believed that 11 councilors, who moved the motion including four members of BJP voted in favour of the motion, while eight members supported incumbent president and one vote declared invalid and Congress councilor abstained voting.
The councilors who voted in favour of the motion started celebrations outside town hall when Advocate Dinkar Gupta along with his colleagues arrived with a stay order and handed over the copy of the order to the CEO.
Due to this, an atmosphere of happiness was turned into chaos as opposition camp alleged that BJP is trying to murder the democracy.
Earlier, anticipating another debacle after the Kathua situation, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tried hard to diffuse Udhampur situation. BJP held marathon meetings with all party councilors and also issued a whip in favour of Dr Jogeshwer Gupta.
However, Ravinder Raina expressed confidence that the party will overcome the Udhampur political situation.
“All our councilors are seasoned politicians. Our meeting with them remained fruitful. We sit together and resolve the misunderstandings,” he said and claimed that BJP has the support of 18 Councilors in Udhampur.
Earlier, BJP suffered setback in Kathua after its candidate and former district president, Pt Prem Nath Dogra lost the election to the post of President of Kathua Municipal Council by a margin of three votes as he was trounced by Rajinder Singh alias Bubby, Independent candidate and brother of former Minister, Ch Lal Singh. The election to the post was necessitated after the former President, Naresh Sharma resigned from the post last month when the Party Disciplinary Committee issued a show cause notice against him for his anti party activities.
Out of total 21 votes, Rajinder Singh got 12 votes and BJP candidate Prem Nath Dogra secured 8 votes. One vote was rejected.
The BJP has also lost to Congress by a convincing margin in a by-election in Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh.
Updated On 9/23/2022 12:18:22 PM


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